Obituary of Keith Robert Sexton

We regret to announce Keith Sexton passed away January 28, 2021. Keith passed in the home he shared with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. He was also able to see one other grandson and his wife who shared some of his last hours with him. We were grateful for having him in our home and surrounded by family who loved, and miss him, greatly. Keith lived a great life and was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Charlene. He is also preceded by his parents, and oldest sister, Shirley. He is survived by his older brother Jack, two sons Blake and Matthew, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Keith was born in 1932, in Iowa to a loving family. The family relocated to Klamath Falls, Or. where Keith, with his brother and sister grew up. Keith was fun loving, which caused his mother to often worry about him. Keith, and his brother Jack, served us in the Navy, as did their father. Returning from active duty Keith returned to Klamath Falls and met the love of his life Charlene. They were married in 1957. Keith worked as a mechanic. and it was in Klamath Falls that their first son was born in 1958. In 1959 Keith had the opportunity to join his brother-in-law in the newspaper business and relocated the young family to Reno. The family lived in Reno for almost 8 years and made many great friends. Keith worked at the newspaper as a machinist, and Charlene worked for a brokerage firm. They enjoyed the outdoors and often were found at Pyramid, Tahoe and Donner lakes with their neighbors, and friends, water skiing. Keith also enjoyed gold prospecting and often used scuba gear and pumps to explore streams in the gold country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. To escape colds winters, and take advantage of a job opportunity, the family relocated to Tucson, Az in 1966. Keith joined Tucson Newspapers, and purchased a home of the east side of town. Keith and Charlene added another son, Matthew, in 1967. Keith and Charlene continued to enjoy friends, and the outdoors. The family was often found camping and exploring the Arizona outdoors. Keith enjoyed ridding dirt bikes with his sons and friends. In 1975 Keith and Charlene designed and built a home on 4 acres in the Tucson Mountain area. This labor of love was a true family project. He enjoyed hunting with friends, and his youngest son. Keith prospected and looked for "treasure" in southern Arizona. He always enjoyed the outdoors. Keith and Charlene loved their desert home they built together, and Keith retired from the newspaper in 1997, after a 30-year career. Charlene retired as Executive Assistant for the Tucson Rodeo. After a quad accident, and to be closer to Matt and in town services, Keith and Charlene moved in 2013 to a more manageable home in Northwest Tucson. They enjoyed being closer to their two grandchildren, who lived five minutes away. Christmas remained Keith"s favorite holiday and he continued the tradition of decorating the house and tree each year. Christmas always continued to bring the entire, expanded, family together. In 2019, the love of his life Charlene, passed away. Keith sold their Tucson home and moved to the house he shared with Blake and Doreen. Keith continued to enjoy family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren. He made trips to California, Heber and always enjoyed trips back to Tucson. He enjoyed his dog, Jonas, who was his faithful companion. After a stroke and COVID complications Keith passed away, at home, with his oldest son, daughter-in-law and two of his grandchildren. We are blessed to have great parents and they leave a legacy that is reflected in their sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They lived a full life and instilled values of hard work, respect of relationships and enjoyment of life. Several of Keith"s friends have reached out and shared their fond remembrance of him. One lifelong friend shared the advice he gave their son who was contemplating marriage years ago "" "Never, ever, cheat on your wife". Keith was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We miss him, and mom.