Keith A. Durfey

Notom, Utah – Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Keith Alma Durfey, age 68, of Notom, was tragically taken from us the evening of December 22, 2009, in an automobile accident in Capitol Reef National Park. He was born February 4, 1941, in Teasdale, Utah, a son of Joseph Golden and Esther Coombs Durfey. He graduated from Wayne High School in 1959, and went to BYU for part of a year before being called on an LDS mission to Florida. He served faithfully for 2 years from 1961-1963. He returned to BYU and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Agronomy and Animal Science. Keith married the love of his life, Kay Frances Carpenter, September 2, 1964 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. He bought 125 acres, cattle, and permit right from his Dad and planted apple orchards. He thought the apples were the best tasting in the world and most of his customers agreed. He worked for Capitol Reef National Park in Fruita. First he worked in the orchards and then, after having his ankle crushed in a backhoe accident, became the Range Land Management Specialist and Back Country Packer. This gave him the opportunity to pack supplies by horseback for archeologists, biologists, botanists, geologists, and work groups. He met and worked with so many wonderful people. Keith has probably been more places in the Henry Mountain-Capitol Reef area than most. Many people have called him with questions about local history and where they should go to hunt buffalo and deer or go for hikes. His knowledge and expertise will be greatly missed. He was an active member of the LDS Church, serving as Sunday School President, Elders Quorum President, High Councilman, Counselor in a Bishopric, Sunday School Teacher, and Home Teacher. Keith was a member of the Lion’s Club, Farm Bureau Executive Committee, on the Farm Service Agency Committee, and a Lower Fremont Irrigation Representative. He enjoyed riding horses, especially with his grandchildren, spending time on the Henry Mountains, ranching, photography, reading, visiting with people, lapidary work, geology, botany, and his family. Keith is survived by his loving wife, Kay of Notom; children: Darin and Valene Durfey of Santaquin; Michele and Michael Gardner of Lehi; Denise and Michael Stewart of St. George; Diane and Chad Goodwin of Notom; 7 grandchildren: Emily, Spencer, Kayla, and Zane Gardner; Stephanie and Benjamin Stewart; Coshell Goodwin; brother and sister: McLean and Judy Durfey, currently serving an LDS Mission in the Philippines; Roma and Chad Roderick of Notom. He was preceded in death by his parents, Golden and Esther Durfey. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. in the Torrey LDS Ward Chapel, where friends may visit with the family Monday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Tuesday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.