Gary Lee Keeper, 54

In loving memory of Gary Lee Keeper who passed away Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at his home in Columbia Falls. Gary was born in Yakima, Wash., on April 18, 1952, to Carl Albert and Irene Ruth (Michael) Keeper.

He went to school in Yakima and graduated from West Valley High School in 1970. Gary enlisted into the Navy in April 1971 and served until April 1975 as an underwater welder for the Seabees. He remained on inactive duty until April 1977. After returning from the service, Gary began working for Mac Tools as a sales man in the Yakima area.

In 1979, Gary began working in his lifetime career in asphalt and paving. He began working for Timberland Paving out of Yakima. He worked as a paver and plant operator in the Washington and Oregon area until 1985.

After Gary married Patricia Sume in 1984, they made their home in Eureka. In 1985, Gary began working for A1 Paving out of Kalispell, where he was the plant foreman and later the shop superintendent. In 1999, Gary and Patti moved to Columbia Falls, where he began working for LHC Construction as the asphalt plant foreman until 2003. In 2003, Gary began working for Schellinger Construction of Columbia Falls as the asphalt plant manager until his death.

In his spare time, Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling, sky diving, and flying kites on the beach.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Carl Albert Keeper; and son, Robert Martin Keeper.

Gary is survived by his mother, Irene Keeper; wife, Patti Keeper; sisters, Karen Schell and Linda Dietrich (Gary's twin); daughter, Shawna Keeper; stepson, Jamie Webb; grandsons, Brandon and TJ Webb, Robert Keeper Jr., and Gabriel Harris; nieces, Jamie Hafer and Staci Denton; great-nieces, Kaileigh and Maci Denton; and great-nephews, Connor and Cody Hafer.

Gary will be greatly missed by his family, close friends and all those that knew and loved him.

There will be a service of remembrance for Gary at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at the Christian Center in Kalispell, with a viewing from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Immediately after the service there will be a reception at the Eagles in Kalispell, in remembrance of Gary.

There will be another service of remembrance at Keith and Keith in Yakima, with the grave site service immediately afterward at Terrance Heights Memorial Cemetery. The date and time of the second service still are pending.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Gary's family.