Keith S. Barrett

Salina, Utah - Keith Stanley Barrett, a prominent and generous businessman and beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, returned to our loving Heavenly Father on October 11, 2006 at his home in Salina, at the age of 83. He was born January 29, 1923 in Orem, Utah, a son of Stanley L. and Vynina Ball Barrett. He attended school in Salina and graduated from North Sevier High School. After high school, he was drafted and went into the service in December of 1942. He served in the Army Air Force mainly in the Philippines and New Guinea during World War II. On a furlough, he married his high school sweetheart, Vaneese Allred on May 25, 1944 in the Manti LDS Temple. Keith reutnred home from the war in January of 1946. Keith and Vaneese were the parents of 3 daughters, Marsha, Bonnie and Holly. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings. He also served in many civic organizations. He was President of the Jaycee’s, Commander of the American Legion and a city councilman. Keith helped organize the North Sevier Jeep Posse and the Salina Fire Department and served as the fire chief. Keith has been in the grocery business all of his life. He started working for his Dad as a young boy. He has earned many awards from the Utah Food Industry and has served as a director and president. He has also been a director of Associated Food Stores. He has kept very busy serving and traveling on various boards. He has been going back to Washington D.C. for over 20 years, as he served on the Political Action Committee for the National Grocer’s Association. Keith had many loves and interests in his life. He was devoted to his two businesses: Barretts’ Foodtown and Holly’s Pantry and to his community. He loved music, especially piano music. He also enjoyed traveling, especially with his wife, children and grandchildren. His sweetheart, Vaneese passed away November 25, 2001. Keith is survived by his children: Marsha and Paul Okerlund, Bonnie and Jim Erdei, all of Salina; 7 grandchildren: Thad and Emily Okerlund of West Haven; Lori and Mike Seidel of Riverton; Cindi Okerlund, Coni and Brad Burnham, all of Salina; Amber and Jeremy Baker, Eagle Mountain; Chandler and Ashley Erdei, Starli and Joby Mickelsen, all of Salina. Keith was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sweet sister, Carole Mellor of Gunnison. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vaneese, and daughter, Holly; also his sisters, Norma and Maxine, brother, Robert, his parents and a brother-in-law: Calvert Mellor. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 12 Noon in the Salina LDS Stake Center, 98 West 400 North in Salina, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Salina American Legion Post #36 will be in the Salina Eastside Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.