Keith LaVon Pope

Keith LaVon Pope was born on an army base in Landstuhl, Germany on January 21, 1953 to Dorothy and Wendell Pope. A few months later, on the ship passage home, he was tucked safely into a dresser drawer, as the young family moved back to the US eventually settling in Utah. As the oldest of nine, Keith grew up with a lifelong love of family, education, and adventure. His devotion to family was always foremost in his thoughts and actions—not only for his siblings, but also for his huge extended family, both of direct relation and those who are family by choice.

In 1975, while attending college at Utah State University in Logan, UT, he met his brown eyed girl, his Suzy Q. Starting with an Easter Sunday family dinner as a first date, Susan and Keith married eight months later, the beginning of a 48-year partnership. His love of the outdoors took the newlyweds to Salmon, ID where he was a sawyer, a job he absolutely loved. With bigger dreams and an impressive desire to continually educate himself, the two moved to California so that Keith could attend UC Berkeley where he acquired his law degree along with new friends he kept for his lifetime. Keith and Suzy always said their greatest accomplishment is their children, Nicholas John and Christina Inez (Hal Griffiths). An amazing, dedicated, kind father he was constantly involved throughout their lives—as a guide, a supporter, a source, an educator, an audience, or anything else that was needed by his kids.

In 1984, the four Popes moved back to Salt Lake City where Keith, over three decades, built an admirable and decorated career as a Corporate Law and Transaction Attorney. Most importantly to Keith, he and Suzy, with hard work and love, created a home that is a nurturing place for their kids and a haven for anyone who falls under the umbrella of ‘the family’. A man of kindness, joviality, intellect, and understanding the door is always open.

His generosity with his time and abilities, his humility, the easiness that came with just being around him, his desire to see those he loved succeed, his eye for the goodness in others, made him the type of person we all strive to one day become. If there was work to be done, he did it without being asked and always did it “the right way”. He was a loving husband, devoted father, all-star older brother, terrific father-in-law, a friend to all, so much to so many and the best friend a good beer ever had.

There will be a Beer and Bite toast to this Great Man on Saturday, December 16th starting at 4 PM until at least 6 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Please come celebrate the joy of having known Keith L. Pope before we all must bear the emptiness of no longer having his laugh fill our hearts and homes.