Gil Keith

Conrad "Gil" Keith, 74, an Air Force veteran of 20 years and longtime Mountain Home resident, died on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at a Boise care center.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 2, at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Friends are invited celebrate Gil's life.

Cremation was under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Gil was born on May 4, 1934, in Corbin, Ky., the son of Rev. Andrew and Arrie Keith.

He joined the US Navy at 17, serving in the Korean War on the flight crew of a Navy seaplane.

In 1958 he married his childhood sweetheart, Joyce Mae Bowling of London, Kent. He proposed to her when she was nine-years-old while riding on the handlebars of his bicycle, and she accepted.

After four years of Navy life he joined the US Air Force where he was assigned to many duty stations. During the Vietnam War he served in the 1198th OE&T, whose mission is still classified. Later he was a mechanic on both the C-130 and the F111. He ended his military career as the First Sergeant of his squadron at Langley AFB, Va., and returned to Mountain Home, where he retired.

Gil was an active member of many Southern Baptist churches during his lifetime of assignments with the military. "Gil loved to teach the Bible, and he leaves behind many people whose lives he touched with his ministry," his family noted. He was also a member of the Gideons, an organization that distributes Bibles.

"Gil loved life," his family said. "He loved to fish, hunt and ride his Fox Trotter horses.

"Gil was known to laugh, tell funny stories and share his warmth with his many friends and family."

Gil is survived by: his wife of 49 years, Joyce Keith, of Mountain Home; daughter Nancy and her husband, Rodney Remling, of Meridian; daughter Arrie Crighton of Mountain Home; four grandchildren; his brother, John Keith, of Indiana; his sister, Teddy Goodling, of Florida, and his brother, Stanley Keith, of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, numerous brothers and sisters, and his baby daughter, Melissa Jane Keith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Gideons International, c/o Chuck Whipple, 1106 NW Beaman St., Mountain Home, ID 83647.