Keith W. Mitchell

9/10/1941 — 9/5/2016

Service Date: 9/10/2016
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Keith W. Mitchell, 74, passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, surrounded by his family and close friends. Keith was born to Floyd R. and Shirley M. (Hurn) Mitchell in Mabton, Wash., on Sept. 10, 1941. He was the second of four children and the only son.

As a young boy, Keith would ride his bike to the park to play baseball with the neighborhood kids. This is how he met his lifelong friend (and brother-in-law) Mel Stottlemyre.

Pete, as he was nicknamed by his father as a small child, graduated from Mabton High School in 1959, where he enjoyed playing football and baseball and bird hunting with friends.

On Dec. 26, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Garcia. Together they raised three sons and two daughters. Pete moved his family to Federal Way, Wash., setting aside his childhood dreams and hobbies to focus on providing for and raising his family. He was a devoted husband and father.

Pete was a well-known concrete contractor. In 1960, he began his career with Peter Kiewit in Seattle. As he excelled, they moved the family to Juneau, Alaska, in 1973. The following year, an additional move brought them to Fairbanks, Alaska, where they lived until 2000. After spending 20 years as a project manager, Pete moved on to his own contracting business, North Star Concrete. Pete was a well-respected contractor.

He loved the opportunities and adventures of Alaska; he rekindled many of his childhood passions, hunting, fishing and camping. He was an accomplished pilot, flying his planes into remote hunting and fishing areas in search of the next trophy.

In 2000, Pete and Teresa retired to Lewiston, where they continued to fish, camp and enjoy the retired life they desired.

Keith is survived by his wife, Teresa; sons Floyd, Michael and Scott (wife Dotty); daughters Cindy Morin (husband Dean) and Kelly Oines (husband Dale); sisters Jean Stottlemyre (husband Mel) and Linda; grandchildren Jason, Tyler, Brandon, Sharita, Patrick, Michael, Rashell and Pamela; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Shirley; sister Sharon Thompson; grandson Alan Oines; and nephew Jason Stottlemyre.

Viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home. The graveside service is at 10 a.m. Saturday at Normal Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Olson of First Baptist Church of Clarkston will officiate the service. A luncheon will immediately follow at the church.