UDALL, Raymond Keith

Raymond Keith Udall, surrounded by his wife and six of his children, died June 5, 2003 at his home in St. Johns, Arizona of causes related to aging. He was born in St. Johns on December 1, 1915 and was a lifelong resident of Arizona. Keith is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gwendolyn Vivian Pace, and 7 children, 3 sons and 4 daughters: Dora Adeline Romoser of Eugene, Oregon, Raymond Keith Udall, Jr. (R.K.), of Gilbert, Timothy Richard Udall, Barry Ronald Udall, Karen Kristin Bell, Helen Marie Udall and Karma Jean Whiting, all of St. Johns and 37 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Keith graduated from St. Johns High School where he played the trumpet and was active in sports, student government and drama. He attended and played football at Gila College, and graduated with a BA and MA in history from Arizona State College in Flagstaff. Keith's faith and trust in young people prompted him to become a public school teacher and administrator for 39 years. He coached, taught and performed administrative duties in Fredonia School District, was a principal at St. Johns High School and Superintendent for the Apache County High Schools. He loved the soil and owned and operated a small family farm where he taught his children and grandchildren to work hard and be grateful for the harvest. Keith was an avid community worker serving as President of the local Kiwanis Club and Lt. Governor of the southwest region. He labored many years in the Boy Scouts of America and received the Silver Beaver Award for his contributions. As well, he initiated the St. Johns chapter of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, and was President of the Associated Communities of the Arizona Strip. He was a committed, lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held numerous positions including that of Bishop and Stake Patriarch. After retiring as an educator, he served with his wife Gwendolyn, two church missions, one in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the other in Toronto, Canada. Additionally he and his wife were set apart as temple workers in the Mesa, Arizona temple. His deep love for his family, his sense of humor, his devotion to profession and church and his concern for humanity marked Keith as a man whose death diminishes this world. However, his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his life of service qualify him for a joyous place in the next. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 12 at 11am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, downtown chapel. Viewing at 10am. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, c/o Bishop Edward Burgoyne, P.O. Box 337, St. Johns, AZ. Arrangements by Jewkes Mortuary Springerville St. Johns AZ. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/11/2003. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 06/13/2003 Raymond Keith Udall, surrounded by his wife and six of his children died June 5, 2003 at his home in St. Johns of causes related to aging. He was born in St. Johns Dec. 1, 1915 and was a lifelong resident of Arizona. He graduated from St. Johns High School where he played the trumpet and was active in sports, student government and drama. He attended and played football at Gila College, and graduated with a BA and MA in history from Arizona State College in Flagstaff. Keith's faith and trust in young people prompted him to become a public school teacher and administrator for 39 years. He coached, taught and performed administrative duties in Fredonia School District, was a principal at St. Johns High School and Superintendent for the Apache County high schools. He loved the soil and owned and operated a small family farm where he taught his children and grandchildren to work hard and be grateful for the harvest. He was an avid community worker serving as president of the local Kiwanis Club and Lt. Governor of the Southwest Region. He labored many years in the Boy Scouts of America and received the Silver Beaver Award for his contributions. As well, he initiated the St. Johns chapter of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, and was President of the Associated Communities of the Arizona Strip. He was a committed, lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held numerous positions including that of Bishop and Stake Patriarch. After retiring as an educator, he served, with his wife Gwendolyn, two church missions, one in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the other in Toronto, Canada. Additionally, he and his wife were set apart as temple workers in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. His deep love for his family, his sense of humor, his devotion to his profession and church and his concern for humanity marked Keith as a man whose death diminishes this world. However, his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his life of service qualify him for a joyous place in the next. Funeral services were held June 12 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, downtown chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, c/o Bishop Edward Burgoyne, P.O. Box 337, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Arrangements were handled by Jewkes Mortuary of Springerville. Keith is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gwendolyn Vivian Pace, and seven children; three sons and four daughters, Dora Adeline Romoser of Eugene, Oregon, Raymond Keith Udall, JR (R.K.) of Gilbert, Timothy Richard Udall, Barry Ronald Udall, Karen Kristen Bell, Helen Marie Udall, and Karma Jean Whiting, all of St. Johns, and 37 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.