Keith Tibbitts

Keith Edwin Tibbitts passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Hemet, California. He was born May 12, 1927, in Rigby, Idaho, to George Marler and Elizabeth Bodily Galbraith Tibbitts. He was the youngest of four children: George Myrl; William Ronald; and Gladys Lucille. He married Olive Lucile Burtenshaw on May 12, 1950, in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He made many a trip by foot or bike to the Snake River Bridge where he played for hours. He delivered newspapers, earning seventy-five cents a week, and quite often spent it on candy bars and pop at the corner grocery store. The exception to that was when he saved up to buy his prized baseball mitt which he treasured for the rest of his life. He played baseball daily with his buddies on a corner lot, and in his teenage years he played basketball with his church friends. A sad part of his childhood was the untimely death of his sister, Gladys, when she was only eighteen years old. In Keiths own words, "She was very good to me. There was no other reason for a 17-year-old sister to invite her 10-year-old brother for my first pie a-la-mode than she just wanted to be nice to me." He never spoke of her without becoming quite emotional.
During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1948-1950, he served in the British Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning from his mission, he continued his courtship with Lucile. Much of their courtship took place at the weekly Saturday night church dances. Music was an important part of their lives. As a married couple, their first purchase was a piano, which provided entertainment, plus a bench to sit on, all with a single purchase. They are the parents of Rodney Keith, deceased, (Pamela), Teresa Christensen (Ralph), Lynae Hymas (Doug), Janae Martin (Mark), Trudy Roberts (Del), and Regina Jergensen (Tal).
He was an architectural draftsman for Argonne National Lab near Arco, Idaho. In 1962, they moved to Hemet, California, where he partnered with his brother, Myrl, at California Ranch Homes, later joined by their brother Ronald. Over the years, they built numerous homes and apartments, in the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley, and he enjoyed designing and building the homes they have lived in. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had many church callings, including serving as a member of the high council, a Bishop, and a Temple Ordinance Worker. After retirement, Keith and Lucile served for eighteen months in the England London Mission. Four Navajo sisters, Lucilee, Fern, Linda, and Theresa Eltsosie, joined their family through the Church Placement Program and lived with them for many years and continue to be an integral part of the family.
Keith had many hobbies and interests. His love of fishing took him back to Idaho, often with his children and grandchildren. His love for home building extended to woodworking projects for his childrens homes. He was artistic. His children enjoyed watching him paint their living room window at Christmas time. They also treasure the oil painting of his favorite Idaho fishing spot of Warm River. Studying and writing about the Federal Reserve was also a favorite pastime. He was a perfectionist in all that he did.
More than anything else, his greatest love was his family. In his own words he wrote, "Family and marriage are the greater part of our lives. I have always wanted to write the perfect letter letting our children know how important and precious they are to us, but somehow, having attempted this in the past, I have never found the right words to express adequately my feelings. I am hopeful that, over the years, we have established those feelings without having to write it."
Passing, he leaves behind a great legacy for his wife, children, 37 grandchildren, 139 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and counting!!!
Funeral service for Keith will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 11:00 AM. The viewing will be held Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 6:00-8:00PM. There will also be a viewing held prior to the funeral, from 9:30-10:30AM. Funeral service and viewings will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 27020 Meridian Street in Hemet, California. Interment will take place at the San Jacinto Valley Cemetery following the services.
Funeral Service online viewing will be available at https://zoom.us/j/93916473600
The family would like to thank Cami Jimenez and Jennica Nevarez of Peaceful Hearts for their kindness and dedication, and also thank Gentiva Hospice, who provided excellent care.
Services
Viewing
Thursday
June 6, 2024
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints
27020 Meridian St.
Hemet, CA 92544
Funeral Service
Friday
June 7, 2024
11:00 AM
The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints
27020 Meridian St.
Hemet, CA 92544
Graveside Service
Friday
June 7, 2024
1:30 PM
San Jacinto Valley Cemetery
2555 Santa Fe St.
San Jacinto, CA 92583 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Keith, please visit our Tree Store.