Paul Ballard Keyser 

April 5, 1939 - January 3, 2023

Utah lost a giant in our community: Paul Ballard Keyser.  He succumbed to a long battle with cancer on January 3rd, 2023.  He died peacefully in his sleep, a wish he always wanted for his death.  Paul was one of five children born to Jim and Peg Keyser in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He attended high school at the Hill School in Pennsylvania.  Following the Hill School, Paul attended Princeton University; one of his greatest accomplishments.  It was the Hill School and Princeton where Paul learned the great value of education.  He passed this value along to others around him, setting up education funds for over 10 children.  

 

In his early adult life, Paul was married to Janice Freeze in December, 1961 (later, Paul and Janice were divorced).  They shared a great life for 20 years and had two children together: Cari and Steve. They enjoyed boating at Lake Powell and the family has many fond memories there.  He also loved ATVing in Southern Utah, jeeping in Moab, and snowmobiling in the Uinta Mountains.  He carried on these passions throughout his life. 

 

Paul was best known as the Chairman of the Board of Utah PaperBox (UPB) a 109 year multi- generational packaging company that he worked at for an astounding 55 years!  He loved the fact that he got to witness his granddaughter, Madison Keyser, work at the business in his last 6 months of life and how she liked to harass her father (Paul’s son) Steve Keyser, UPB’s current CEO.  He also liked watching his daughter, Cari Brinkerhoff, excel at Packsize, another Utah based packaging company.  

 

Paul was a father figure to many and helped many entrepreneurs start businesses including NAI Utah, SDI Screen Printing among the few..  He changed a lot of people's lives and was a great mentor to many people.  In addition to his many professional endeavors at Utah PaperBox, he served on the board of the Salt Lake Water, Kiwanis, and US Bank.  He was also a big philanthropist.  He frequently noted that because he made much of his wealth on the West Side of the greater Salt Lake area, he should focus on giving back in this area.  He was active in the Boys and Girls Club and Guadalupe Center and was especially proud of the work they completed.  

 

He is survived by his younger brother, Bill Keyser; two children: Cari Brinkerhoff (Larry Brinkerhoff) and Steve Keyser (Barb Gander); and six grandchildren: Ryan (Aleena), Madde (Aidan), Niki (Austin), Katie (Roman), Sara (Nick), and Erin.  Amongst his family, he is also survived by many dear friends.  We will miss Paul  but know he lived a great life and his legacy will be carried on at Utah PaperBox and through his family and friends.  

 

In honor of Paul Keyser, there will be a celebration of life, open house style, on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building. 

The family would like to request in lieu of flowers, to consider donating to Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake.