Cover photo for Keith Howard Empey's Obituary
Keith Howard Empey Profile Photo

Keith Howard Empey

December 6, 1932 — July 8, 2023

St. George, Utah

Keith Howard Empey

 

Keith Howard Empey, age 90, passed away peacefully at his home on July 8, 2023. He was born December 6, 1932, in St. George, Utah, to Howard Empey and Norma Bringhurst Empey. He married and was sealed to Margaret Ann Mumford on August 18, 1960, in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Keith was raised in St. George, Utah, where he helped on the family farm, played football and other sports, and participated in 4-H. He graduated from Woodward High School in 1949, and Dixie Junior College as a Lower Division Graduate in May of 1952. Keith was drafted into the army late in 1952 and honorably discharged in May of 1955. After returning, he began working for the Washington County Road Department and purchased a 60-acre farm. While working at the road department, he was involved in a life-threatening incident resulting in second and third-degree burns on most of his body. Later, Keith worked for the Washington County School District for 25 years before retiring in 1987. Because of his hard work and many abilities, the school district had the smallest maintenance staff and the lowest maintenance overhead of any school district in the state.

Keith was an active member of the LDS church and enjoyed serving as a scoutmaster for over 20 years, and also served in many other callings. He enjoyed spending time at the family’s Pine Valley cabin, tending to his gardens, playing card games with family, going on daily runs or walks, and learning about wildlife.

Keith’s greatest accomplishment was the legacy he left behind and the values he taught his sons, such as: the ethics of work, the power of honesty, and the importance of family. He accepted his daughters-in-law as his own. He made each of his grandchildren feel like they were the most important. When his sons started their business, he was right there helping them and making sure they got a good start to their success. He loved creating lasting memories that will always be with each of us. 

He is survived by wife, Margaret; children, Bret (Julie) Empey, Alan (Claudia) Empey, Dale (Janna) Empey; grandchildren Amanda (Neal) Empey-Cooper, Gary (Kacey) Empey, Christopher (Whitney) Empey, Landon (Lizzie) Empey, Kimberly (Mitchell) Hancock, T.J. (Jessica) Empey, Ann (Jake) Brooks, Sarah (Brendan) Bliss, Melissa (Jace) Fugate, Brian (Maddie) Empey, Elizabeth (Arrow) Corpus, Kaden Empey, and Casandra (Jorgie) Empey-Cuara; along with 28 great-grandchildren, all of St. George. Additionally, he is survived by sisters Janice (Ralph) Lamoreaux and Lawanna Justet of St. George, and Carla (George) Christiansen of Prescott, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his parents; son Gary Empey; brothers Merlin Empey and Kendall Empey; and brother-in-law Eugene Justet.

A viewing will be held Friday, July 14, 2023, from 9:00 – 11:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, East Stake Center, 449 South 300 East, St. George, Utah.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 11:30 am, at the St. George City Cemetery, 650 East Tabernacle St, St. George, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454.

Friends and family are invited to sign Keith’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith Howard Empey, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Graveside Service

Saturday, July 8, 2023

11:30am - 12:30 pm (Mountain time)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

449 South 300 East, St. George, UT 84770

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation

Friday, July 14, 2023

9:00 - 11:00 am (Mountain time)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

449 South 300 East, St. George, UT 84770

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 648

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree