Keith Smith , 65, Minot, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at his home in Minot.

Keith was born July 1, 1951 to Roy and Bertha (Garcia) Smith in San Antonio, TX. His family moved frequently, ending up in Wayne, MI where he graduated from Wayne Memorial High School in 1969. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1971.

On May 8, 1971, Keith was married to Karen Kempainen, his high school love, while attending military training in San Antonio, TX. They traveled the world together, living in Germany and England, venturing throughout Europe and living at Air Force bases across the United States of America. Keith served our country with honor and distinction, dedicating over 17 years to the U.S. Air Force working in law enforcement and later munitions maintenance. After separating from the Air Force he returned for the second time to North Dakota and established his home in Minot where he worked as a civilian at Minot Air Force Base as well as at the Air National Guard base before retiring due to disabilities stemming from his wartime service during Operation Desert Storm.

Keith is survived by his loving wife, Karen, his four sons, Nathan, Adam (Sharon), Noah (Diah), and Jared (Jennifer), nine grandchildren, his three brothers, Mike (Debbie), Roy (Diane), and Steve, as well as his sister Stephanie. Following in their father's footsteps, all four sons have proudly served our country in the Armed Forces and are currently living across the U.S. and overseas. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, their lives forever changed for the better.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Bertha, and his sister Gail.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at the Thomas Family Funeral Home.
Interment with military honors in the veteran's section of the Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the start of the service at the funeral home.