Capt US NAVY

Keith Boyd Matthews returned to the loving arms of his father, Clarence E. Matthews, his mother, Constance T. Matthews, his brother Weldon, and his brother Parley (whom he had never met) on March 21, 2014. Keith was born in Salt Lake City on January 14, 1930. He grew up in Midvale, Utah and graduated from Jordan High School in 1948. He attended Brigham Young University from 1949 – 1953. While at BYU, Keith quarterbacked the football team and played defensive safety. In his senior year he was selected to the WAC All-Conference team as defensive safety. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1948 for a one-year active duty assignment. After graduating from BYU he was accepted to the Naval Officer Candidate School in New Port, R.I. where he received his commission. After three years active duty he served for more than 30 years in the Naval Reserve Security Group and retired with the rank of Navy Captain.

Keith's primary profession was labor and employee relations. He began his career in the Industrial Relations Department of Kennecott Copper Corporation. In 1967 he accepted the position of Corporate Manager of Labor Relations for Utah International, which was headquartered in San Francisco. He and his family relocated to Walnut Creek, California where they resided for 27 happy years. Upon retirement in 1994, he and his wife Shirley relocated to Orem, Utah where Keith was a fixture on the 50 yard-line of the BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium for 19 years.

Keith was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Deacon Quorum advisor, Ward and Stake Sunday School President, High Priest group leader, home teacher, and coached many church and city youth sports teams.

He met Shirley Ferguson during the summer of 1949 and they were married on February 12, 1953. Their marriage was later sealed in the Oakland, California Temple.
He is survived by Shirley, his loving wife of 61 years, his 3 children, Adrienne Noakes, Lindsey (Ed) O'Brien, Kyle (Ann) Matthews, 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and 1 happily on the way. His family is so grateful for his years of devotion, laughter and unconditional love. He leaves an enduring legacy.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 28 at 11:30 a.m. at River Ridge Temple Chapel, 10124 So. 1300 West, South Jordan, Utah. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 27 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe, 1007 West South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah. In addition, friends may call from 10:30-11:15 a.m. at the chapel prior to the service. Interment will be at the Midvale City Cemetery.