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Keith Garner Obituary
1919-2012
Salt Lake City, UT-Keith Elliott Garner died on April 26, 2012, Salt Lake City Utah, just 13 days shy of his 93rd birthday, from age related causes. He was born May 11, 1919 to Benjamin Franklin Garner and Mary Selina Carr in Sugar City, Idaho. He left home to serve an LDS mission in Hawaii in 1940 where he flourished with a great love of the people and their beautiful islands. While attending the University of San Francisco he met, courted and married Marilynn Jean Ressel on September 21, 1944 in Salt Lake Temple. He also served his country by serving in the US Army during World War II and left as a 1st Lt.
In addition to establishing a very successful career in real estate and land development in the San Francisco Bay Area, Keith also began his lifelong service to his church by teaching early morning seminary and presiding as bishop of the Menlo Park ward for eleven years. In 1965 Keith moved his family to the Hong Kong mission home for three years while he served as president of the Southern Far East Mission. Shortly after his release as mission president, Keith continued his church service by moving to Salt Lake City and becoming director of the Salt Lake Visitors Center Mission. He continued working in numerous other church related endeavors throughout his life. He loved to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and was a tireless preacher missionary. He and his wife traveled throughout the world participating in church related activities.
Keith was blessed with great physical energy, extraordinary intuition, and a charismatic personality. His charm and wit made him the life of the party, a dynamic leader, and an inspiring teacher. Throughout his lifetime, his generosity blessed the lives of many friends, neighbors, and his family.
Keith is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marilynn, his children; Lynne (Woody Godfrey), Gayle (Greg Schenk), Kent Garner and Susan Garner; nine grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. The family will greet friends at a viewing at the Emigration Stake Center on 589 East 18th Avenue from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1st. A private family memorial and interment will be held at the Salt Lake Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Church Perpetual Education Fund. Friends and Family may leave condolences at www.garnerfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Keith Garner
Jim Lee
April 23, 2021
Thanks Keith for your service to the peoples and nations of the Southern Far East. Sincerely, Jim Lee (SFEM-HK Zone 1962-65)
Jaquelyn Anderson
December 25, 2020
Keith was my mother's uncle, which made him my Great Great Uncle, and as children we enjoyed visiting him and his family in California until we moved away. My mother, Carma Cook Anderson, and I flew to Utah and had a lovely visit with Uncle Keith, and his passing came as a surprise to us. My mother greatly loved Keith and he was a powerful example to her all throughout her life of how to love and honor the Gospel, and she served her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and then married and raised six children. Thank you for living an exemplary life Uncle Keith!
John. McMahon
April 23, 2020
God bless you. Keith, I sure appreciated in working for you on your projects such as
Carriage. Square, stone ridge resort, your house, Roundhouse bresort in Arizona, Grub steak,
In. Park city., and several other projects.
Mei Hsiang Kuo
April 24, 2019
He was my mission president in 1965 - 1967 I thought that he will not remember me but I was wrong, he not only remember me and kind to me. In 2004 we met in Salt Lake City and he show me how much he remember me and I learned what a wonderful person and mission president. I love him and miss him !
John. Mc Mahon
April 23, 2019
Great. Guy. Miss you. Mr. Keith. Garner. Rest. In. Piece.
John. McMahon
April 23, 2019
What a great guy and sure like building the Carriage. Square shopping center and
Working on his house, I built. Stoneridge resort in Blanchard ,Idaho, Built units and
Repaired the. Hotel Roof on Roundhouse. Resort in. Pinetop, Arizona,
Mr. Keith, Garner. It was a real pleasure in building the stoneridge. Building the
150 condos, sewer plant, roads, water tank, water lines, spill way over lake
San suche Lake, new. Well pumps, as well as maintenance, Built the. Sales office,
Helped on the. Problem on the. Crypts at your Avenue cementry.
Well. Keith ,I will remember you always. Rest. In. Piece god be with you.
May 4, 2012
To The Family of Brother Garner,
I have such fond memories of Brother Garner. We first met him while he was building the "Swiss Chalet" in Salt Lake in 1963+.
We were young college students - and we got to manage the Chalet to rent and take care of the building. We had one child and it was a wonderful way for us to get through college.
Our second child, was named for Brother Garner - Keith Garner Mangan.
Brother Garner was a dear, dear man. We loved him very much. We also knew Marilyn and new of your large family.
He was always so kind and generous with us. What a kindly man. My husband has died. I have remarried and live in Rexburg Idaho, next door to where Brother Garner was raised. There are a lot of Garners in this area. Our family sends our love. My olders daughter lives in Salt Lake and noticed his passing in the paper.
Please know of our love.
Kathryn Mangan Holdaway
1050 South 2nd East
Rexburg, Idaho 83440
Sister Kathryn Garner Orton
May 3, 2012
President Garner, an extraordinary leader. In his last years, we were privileged to be taught again as a group of missionary sisters, as we lunched with him on occasion. We will miss that, but shall always be grateful that we were remembered, and tutored still.
I look forward to a grand reunion one day—another missionary conference. Until then, may the Lord bless his family, and may we all stand strong and immovable in what we know.
John McMahon
May 2, 2012
To the Garner Family,Keith was and still is in my mind a very fine man. I worked for Mr Garner on Stonridge Condos Resort in Blanchard,Idaho,Built Roundhouse Resort in Pine Top,Arizona,Built Carrage SquareShopping Center in West Valley,Utah and Helped with the Construction of Mr Garners House on Chandler Drive & Chandler Circle. Also help with problems on the Masolium.
I feel that Mr Keith Garner is a very fine man and will always think of him as my best friend. Keith you will be missed by me and I know your family.The experience & Trust that you gave me in building your projects was very enjoyable. Thank You
John R. McMahon
David Hunt
May 1, 2012
The Garner Family have been friends of our family for over half a century. We extend our heartfelf thoughts to the Garners. The Garners have helped and served countless individuals and families throughout the world.
Our kindest regards to the Garner Family.
Karl Wheatley
May 1, 2012
President Garner, what a wonderful mission president he was, one you could talk to as a friend knowing he was a leader. I wanted to do better because of him.
John Swallow
May 1, 2012
Keith Garner was and still is a great man and friend. He loved his God and his Church and I will miss him--we all will miss him.
Douglas Buck
May 1, 2012
A great exemplar and leader. We will all miss Keith; he has helped many of us and helped to show us a better way, the way of the Master.
Lloyd Weenig
April 30, 2012
I send my love to a great missionary and his family. My father knew Keith on both of their first missions (1940). The gospel IS the truth. It is to be believed and loved. Humbly (because we have no other choice--sooner or later) we hold the Lord high and invite all to come and partake of his goodness. Again, I send my love and testimony and encourage all to believe in His grace (1 Thes. 5:12-13).
April 30, 2012
Thank you Keith. Your service to the Kingdom is remembered...and continues forever. Best to your kinfolk.
Jim Lee, SFEM
Salem, Oregon
Tony Whitehorn
April 30, 2012
"The field is white and ready to harvest" - in memory of a great scriptorian, mission president and church leader who impacted for good the lives of many. our condolences to sis. garner and to the family. -
Mei Hsiang Moyer
April 30, 2012
President Keith Garner, You are an extraordinary mission president, you'll always in my heart. Thank you ! May Father in Heaven bless you and your family ! Until we meet again. Love,
Sister Moyer (Kuo, Mei Hsiang) Presently in San Jose Mission
David Martin
April 29, 2012
Keith was a great man. My grandfather, Orion Packer worked with him in California.
April 29, 2012
Pure Gold ROCKS, and The President will Rock in the Celestial Kingdom.
Muschik Family
April 29, 2012
Keith was wonderful to our family and was a great boss too. We won't forget all he did for us through the years.
Claudette & Glenn Anderson
April 29, 2012
We are sorry for your loss of this great man. He will forever live on in our memories and in our hearts. He is a man who loved his Savior, his family and mankind. We will miss him.
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