Keith C. Dockstader

Keith Chancy Dockstader, 81, passed away Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, at Portneuf Regional Medical Center.

Keith was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Mink Creek, Idaho, the son of Chancy George and Henrietta Mae Bosworth Dockstader. He attended school in Preston, Idaho, and at age 16 came to Pocatello and worked as a Gandy Dancer for Union Pacific Railroad. At age 17, he joined the United States Navy and was a gunner's mate on a baby flattop, the Vella Gulf, during World War II.

When out of the military, he obtained his barber license and started working in a shop in Shelley. It was there he met Mary Williams and married her on June 2, 1948. Shelley was their home for more than 50 years, except for nine months in Seattle, where they both worked for Boeing Aircraft. Also during his lifetime, Keith worked for Fanning Wholesale and owned his own restaurant, known as the PDQ or Keith's Cafe. He then sold Nu-Tone cleaning products for a time before going to work in 1972 as a car salesman for Ellsworth Dodge/Ron Sayer BMW in Idaho Falls, retiring in 2000. He was well known for his "Doc Deals." He was Chrysler's top salesman for many years in the Intermountain West. After retiring, the family home in Shelley was sold and Keith moved to Pocatello to live near his daughter. He spent a year in St. George, Utah, and came back to Pocatello last May, living at Cottonwood Cove, and enjoyed time playing pinochle, bingo, calling bingo and riding his three-wheel bike around the area. His greatest love was spending time with his family.

Keith is survived by his wife, Mary of Clinton, Utah; children, Linda (Dana) Christensen of Pocatello, Julie (David) Heaps of Syracuse, Utah, and Dan (Kim) Dockstader of Afton, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one sister, LaRae (Demar) Merrill of Preston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chancy and Mae; one brother, James Demont; stepfather, Earl Davis; two stepsisters, Joyce and Delores; three sons, Scott, Winn and Bryan; and a granddaughter, Reagan Christensen. Keith will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak St. in Shelley. The family will receive friends for a viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery, with military rites by American Legion Post 93. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.nalderfuneralhome.com.