Keith Collins

Our husband, father, and grandfather passed from this life on May 3, 2013. Keith Leon Collins was born February 24, 1927, the son of Emma Lundstrom and Sterling W. Collins. His parents divorced when he was a baby and his mother and beloved stepfather, Joseph Pritchard Rhoades, raised him to be the fine man he was. Keith grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1945. He was immediately drafted into the Army in the Infantry where he served two years until the end of World War II. Keith was then called to serve a LDS mission in the Stockholm Sweden Mission, where he labored for 2 1/2 years. He spent time after his mission touring the Holy Land, for which he had a deep love and reverence. He then returned to Idaho Falls and enrolled in Utah State College in Logan, Utah. Keith married his sweetheart, Marian Afton Blaylock, on July 18, 1951 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Keith and Marian met when they were 16 years old and were married for nearly 62 years. They have four children Brian LeRoi, Gregory Keith, both who died in infancy, and Eric David and Christina Gay. Keith owned and operated Highland Greenhouses in Idaho Falls for approximately 20 years and was known for his Friday night gardening T.V. program, “Garden Digest”. The family moved to California in 1972 where Keith worked for 40 years managing wholesale nurseries in Whittier, Cupertino, Half Moon Bay, Madera, and Chowchilla, selling bedding plants and poinsettias. Keith was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Bishop, Bishopric Counselor, Stake Mission President, Stake High Councilor, Temple Ordinance Worker, Stake Patriarch, and for many years as a Gospel Doctrine Teacher. He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and shared this love with any who would listen. He was a great missionary and many lives were touched and changed for the good because of his diligence in serving others. Keith is survived by his wife, Marian (Clearfield, UT), his children Eric (Lakewood, CO) and Christina (Steven) Pay (West Point, UT); sister Donna Adamson (Kennewick, WA); brother, Ronald (Diana) Rhoades (Idaho Falls, ID); grandchildren James (Maggie) Tracy (Roy, UT), Bethany (Dustin) Larson (Ogden, UT), Holly Tracy (West Point, UT) and Kaitlyn Tracy (West Point, UT), Derek (Amanda) Pay (Riverton, UT), Brianne (Kris) Megan (Riverton, UT), Danica (Matthew) Nungary , (San Francisco, CA), Katrina Collins (Madera, CA), Justin Collins (Madera, CA) and 8 great-grandchildren. His parents, his sisters Lenora Rhoades Brown, Alta Rhoades Cannon, and Josephine Rhoades Davis, and children, Brian and Gregory, preceded Keith in death. The family would like to thank Legacy Hospice for their kindness in caring for Keith. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Funeral Services -- Saturday

11 a.m. ,Saturday, May 11, 2013 Wood Funeral Home 273 North Ridge Avenue Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery.