Keith Nelson Fuller

Keith Nelson Fuller, age 89, of La Grande, passed away on Sunday January 15th, 2012 in Boise, ID. Keith was born August 27, 1922 to George and Violet Fuller in La Grande, Oregon. He was the fourth and last son born to the Fuller family. He soon learned that it took a lot of hard work to help support the family during some hard economic times. He had fond memories of his family especially his mother and father. He told stories about growing up on their farm, riding horses to and from school and town, and being the youngest of the boys he was always very helpful to his mother at home and felt her love and compassion.

Keith graduated from Elgin High School in 1940 and married the love of his life, Jewel Jean Rollins, in Weiser, Idaho on August 11, 1941. On December 14th, 1943 Keith was drafted into the Army to fight for his country in World War II. During his time in the service he was a motorcycle policeman, mechanic and motor pool sergeant. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Medal before being discharged on April 7th 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Keith and Jewel settled down in La Grande and added their only child in 1947, a son Ronald, to their family. They lived at their residence on12th Street and enjoyed many precious moments together there for 63 years, until moving to Meridian, Idaho in January of 2011 due to declining health and a desire to be closer to their son's family. Keith worked for McDonald Electric and was the head mechanic for many years. He relocated the business and ran it for several years. He also worked with his brother Gene in two different service stations, the Terry Trailer factory, Boise Cascade, and Eastern Oregon University.

His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing and spending time with Jewel, square dancing, bowling, playing pinochle, and traveling. They took several trips to Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco Mexico. They also traveled with their trailer to many parts of the United States enjoying each and every trip. He loved taking car excursions with Jewel around the Grande Ronde valley and into the mountains seeing the change in seasons and looking for wildlife.

Keith never had an enemy in the world he was always conscious of the people around him. His family, however, was the focus of his greatest devotion. Keith was a gentle, loving, and sweet natured man in all things most particularly as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle. He spent his last year living at Alpine Meadows, an assisted living facility in Meridian, where he was completely satisfied with his care and loved all the other residents and his caregivers.

Keith is survived by his son, Ron and wife Cheryl; and his 5 grandchildren, Mishelle Wasden, Heather Ogden, Mindy Godell, Nathan Fuller and Andrew Fuller, and their respective spouses, as well as 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Jewel, a granddaughter, Heidi, and his 3 brothers, Lowell, Glen, and Gene.

Funeral services will be held on January 20th, 2012 at Daniels-Knopp Funeral Home in La Grande at 1:30. A graveside dedication and military ceremony will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery. A viewing will be held on Friday from 12:00 -1:00pm.

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