Keith Swain

In the peace of his home and surrounded by his family, Keith Swain slipped quietly away on December 6, 2024 at the age of 86. George Bernard Shaw said,"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." Keith spent his life working to understand how to live better. In partnership with God and his wonderful wife, Karma, Dad created a beautiful life.

Keith Gerber Swain was born on July 8, 1938 to Bertrand Swain and Fern Gerber in the very small town of Maeser, Utah. Later the family established a farm in Hancock Cove (outside of Roosevelt). Raised in that farming and ranching community was a powerful way to grow up. Even though he moved away from the area when he was 12-years-old, Dad was always a three-generation son of the Great Basin, returning annually to reconnect with extended family and to reverence the graves of his ancestors.

Dad's parents moved their family to American Fork in 1951. Since that time Keith has been a proud "American Forker." Bert and Fern purchased an old 1922 stone home in American Fork on a six acre lot. That lot was later developed as "Swain Acres." That old stone home is still there along with 24 others, including the home where Keith and Karma have lived for the last 47 years. Dad's great grandfather, Robert Henry Swain, was a chief stone mason on the Salt Lake Temple, which began a generational tradition of stone and brick masons in the Swain family. Soon after settling down in American Fork, Keith's father focused on his family vocational heritage and Dad learned to become a bricklayer while in high school, a full-time and part-time profession that he maintained throughout his life.

Keith joined the American Fork Artillery Unit of the National Guard out of high school in 1956 and served six years. He attended Utah State University and BYU. He graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and taught school in Crescent City, CA. Keith then completed a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling from Oregon State University. After a brief stint in Washington state, he moved back to Utah to work in the Judicial System as a parole officer and counselor. Eventually, Keith established his career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor where he spent 30 years helping people develop themselves to become employed and self-sufficient. His passion and integrity in that work blessed the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands, for generations. Keith retired in 1998 and spent the rest of his working life investing in and developing residential real estate. Despite spending his professional career wearing a jacket and tie, he was never far between a bricklaying job on the weekends. In short, Dad's career was defined by his bright mind, his kind heart, and his strong hands.

Of course, the key factor in Dad's life was Mom. Keith and Karma met and married in Orem, Utah in 1961 and their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Their beautiful marriage began as Dad was serving in the National Guard. Mom's love and support elevated his life. They both graduated from BYU and worked with commitment and courage to build a beautiful life and beautiful family together. The center of their family life was (is!) the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They raised their children in the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They taught their children to live faithful lives - every child married in the temple. After retirement, Dad, with Mom served three Church service missions - as facilitators in the Addiction Recovery Program, as counselors in the Deseret Industries Employment Services, and as ordinance workers in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. Theirs is a 63-year marriage of service, sacrifice, and sanctification.

In addition to his sweet wife, Keith is survived by his seven children and their spouses: Monte (and Shannon) Swain, Scott (and Leann) Swain, Kalene (and Bryan) Mathews, Trent (and Janette) Swain, JaNae (and Darin) Hakes, Eric (and Stacie) Swain, Megan (and Aaron) Coxson. One child, Jefferson Keith, preceded Dad and has already welcomed him back home. Keith and Karma have 37 wonderful grandchildren and 26 miraculous great grandchildren.

The family is grateful for the professional care provided by Dr. Chipman and the team at Utah Cancer Specialists in American Fork. The kindness and professional support provided by Nicole and Katie and their colleagues at Canyon Home Care & Hospice was a great comfort to Dad and his family.

Funeral services will take place on December 13 th in the American Fork East Stake Center on 825 E 500 N, AF. Services begin at 11:00am. A viewing will take place the evening before at the same location on December 12 th from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Another viewing will precede the funeral on the 13 th from 9:30 - 10:30am. Interment will be in the American Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local Latter-day Saint ward's missionary fund.

Please click on the link below to watch Keith's services via Live Stream:

https://youtube.com/live/KbCJj22XZ4o?feature=share