Keith Irl King

Keith Irl King, 83, of Corvallis Oregon, passed away on April 8, 2024. He was born on April 7, 1941, in Missoula, Montana, and raised in the nearby mountain mining town of Phillipsburg. Keith's educational journey included attending Phillipsburg Montana Primary School, Phillipsburg Montana High School, and earning a bachelor of science degree in Zoology from Montana State University (MSU). While attending MSU, he met and soon married Roberta Anderson (King). Keith spent his career as a teacher, starting as a high school teacher in Madras, Oregon. While in Madras, they started a family with two boys, Shawn and Thane. To further his education, they moved to Corvallis Oregon where he attended Oregon State University (OSU). While pursuing his Masters Degree in Science, he worked as a teachers assistant in general sciences. With his Masters achieved, he accepted a faculty position and taught general biology at OSU. He developed the laboratory for General Biology and wrote the corresponding lab manuals. Additionally, he taught Field and Microscopic Photography. He co authored two published text books that were used by OSU’s General Science Department, and by other institutions of higher education. He officially retired from OSU in 1999, yet continued to work for OSU on a part time basis for several years doing what he loved to do, teaching young folks about the sciences of life. Keith enjoyed the outdoors throughout his life. Fishing was a lifelong activity going back to his early childhood and continuing forward throughout his life. He enjoyed hunting and hiking in his earlier years and later found solace in photography and listening to music on vinyl records. He collected and amassed a varied collection of records that provided years of joy. Attending sporting events at OSU such as football games and gymnastics meets was also a highlight and an ongoing passion. Gatherings with friends and family, and the love he felt for his family, were at the center of his meaningful pleasures. At their rural Corvallis country home, he took great pride in the upkeep of their property, the backdrop for many of the gatherings he so enjoyed. Sitting on their back deck, bird watching, and smoking the fish he caught in the Alsea River, with records being heard from his array of speakers, made up his simple little oasis at the end of Quail Run road. He is survived by his wife, Roberta (Anderson) King; son, Shawn King, daughter-in-law Laura Sinnott, step-grandson Ryan Hewes, and granddaughter Persephone King; son, Thane King and son-in-law Wesley Lynch; and sister Marilyn (King) Swenson. Keith is also remembered by many nieces, nephews, and family members from the King and Anderson families. He was preceded in death by his father, Stephen King; mother, Merle (Clara) King; brother Darrell King; sister-in-law Sharon King; two nephews and a niece. The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Regency Albany Care in Albany Oregon, and Harmony Senior Living in Adair Village (Corvallis) Oregon. A Celebration of Life service in memory of Keith will be held at McHenry Funeral Home, 206 NW 5th St, Corvallis, Oregon, on May 4th at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association.

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Keith Irl King

April 7, 1941 - April 8, 2024