HELPER – Keith Hector Chiara passed away on October 7, 2015 at Seasons of Santaquin in Santaquin, Utah. His death was the result of ravages of several strokes. Keith was born on June 28, 1944 to Hector and Mary Ottosen Chiara in Kenilworth, Utah. Keith grew up in Helper, Utah, playing baseball and working in his father’s grocery store. After graduating from Carbon High, Keith served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North Central States Mission. He married Carol Mae Jones August 30, 1968 in the Manti Temple. He earned his B.A. degree from BYU in 1969. Following graduation he worked for five years in the LDS church education system, as a seminary coordinator in Kayenta, Ariz. and seminary teacher at the East Seminary in Ballard, Utah He then returned to BYU to earn his Juris Doctorate degree, graduating from the J. Rueben Clark Law School in the class of 1976.
Following law school, Keith moved his family home to Helper. He spent 10 years working in the Carbon County Attorney’s office first as Deputy County Attorney and eight years as the County Attorney. He left the County Attorney’s office to open his own law practice. His son Sam joined him in his practice in 1997. He retired in 2006 and spent many good years traveling to Manti where he served as an ordinance worker.
Keith enjoyed driving and hunting along the Skyline Drive which was his connection between Carbon County and family in the Sanpete Valley. Many hours were spent trolling at Scofield and watching his grandchildren play in the water. Keith had a knack for remembering details of those that he met and interacted with, and consequently he loved to tell stories of the good old days and good friends. Everywhere he went, he could make a new friend. He loved his Italian and Scandinavian heritage. He wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed in and he loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife Carol of Helper, Utah; five sons, Samuel (Jennifer), of Roosevelt, Utah; Daniel (Angela) of Tucson, Ariz; Jared (Dana) of Price, UT; Joseph (Jamie) of Scottsdale, Ariz and John (Maria) of Mesa, Ariz. and 18 grandchildren. He also leaves behind a sister Mary Faure of Placerville, Calif; and brother Carl O. (Phyllis) of Castle Pines, Colo.
A viewing will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015 from 6:-8 p.m. at Fausett Mortuary, Price, UT. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Helper LDS Stake Center with a viewing one hour prior. Interment will follow in the Helper Mt. View Cemetery entrusted to the care of Fausett Mortuary. Family and friends may sign the guest book and share memories of Keith at www.fausettmortuary.com.
Keith Chiara
"Keith Chiara"