May 10, 2022
On May 10, 2022, Keith Pendleton passed away peacefully at age 92. Keith lived a long, full life as an incredibly skilled craftsman and a devoted father and grandfather. From an early age, Keith enjoyed exploring the red rock cliffs and watercress springs of St. George. His rugged curiosity for life and how things worked led him to teach himself many valuable trades later in life.
He learned how to work with wood and build cabinets and earned Journeyman cabinet maker status. He worked for years as part of the maintenance department at Dixie State. He not only loved to shoot guns but also taught himself gunsmithing skills as well. Keith took great pride in constructing from scratch pistols, rifles and cannons, some of which were used in local holiday celebrations.
Keith’s determination and hard work ethic served him and his country well when he fought as a member in the 213th Armored Field Battalion in the Korean War from 1950 through 1952. Keith had great pride in his country and loved swapping stories with other veterans in the area and served as a member of the American Legion honor guard.
While he was an exceptionally hard worker and skilled craftsman, his pride and joy always remained his wife, Beverly, and their two children Bard and Craig. He met his sweetheart Beverly Haycock on a chance offer to take a ride in a jeep and from there they were sealed in the St. George Temple on Sept. 12, 1953. They took a short detour to work in Arizona before settling down back home in the shadow of the red cliffs of his youth, where they raised their two boys and then later nurtured their 5 grandchildren. Keith was a man of even temperament. He was able to parent in a way that always showed genuine concern and interest in the lives and the successes of his children. As a “Jack of all trades, master of none,” he passed along his love of innovation and skills to his sons and grandchildren.
Their home was small, but it was filled with love. The walls were a monument to the full life he lived, the country he served, and the people he loved. The home bloomed with children’s books and toy airplanes, cars, trucks, and balls. He always kept a shed with fishing poles and ammunition ready to go hunt and fish with grandchildren whenever he had the chance. Keith was incredibly generous with his time and his talents, allowing friends, family, and the community free access to his knowledge or his building materials. He absolutely loved candy and was known to always have a few pieces for grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) to sneak.
Keith spoke consistently of how, even though he grew up poor, his full, long life was such a blessing. Our lives have been fuller—and richer—because he was in it. He will be greatly missed.
Keith is preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Mary Zella (Larson) Pendleton, his son Keith Bardette Pendleton and a great-grandson Riley Pendleton. He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Haycock) Pendleton, his son Anthony Craig Pendleton (Suzanne), his grandchildren Zach Pendleton (Sara), Chase Pendleton, Jacob Pendleton (Erica), Benjamin Judd (B.J.) Pendleton (Shiloh), Charlin Robinson (Beau), eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Those who wish to join the family in honoring Keith’s life are invited to attend memorial services to be held on Friday, May 20, at 10 a.m at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff St., St. George, with a visitation prior to services at 9 a.m. The interment will take place at Tonaquint Cemetery.
Click here to livestream the service.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Keith’s online guest book.