Oct. 17, 1952 – Feb. 13, 2017

Keith was born in Glendale on Oct. 17, 1952 to Charles Keith White and Joanne Allene Peterson. He was the youngest of three children with Charles Mark and Marilyn Dena as his fun-loving older siblings. As the youngest, he was known as “Keithie” and found joy in mischievous pranks with his favorite cousin, Vickie.

Keith grew up in Pomona, Sunland, Glendale and La Crescenta, where he attended Lincoln, Rosemont and Crescenta Valley (Class of 1972).

Keith was active in many sports and excelled in acting in plays at church and the Glendale Centre Theatre. He was a whiz in math, logic and direction. He could analyze difficult situations with ease, which made him a natural in his occupation as a courier, and dispatcher for couriers, all over Greater Los Angeles. He became an expert in the best way to get around Los Angeles by bus, metro or train.

He had library cards at numerous libraries and was an avid reader of the LA Times. He often combined his love of reading with the outdoors by picking a bus line and riding it to the end and back while being immersed in his latest book. He loved to take the train to Ventura and spend a week with his stepmother, Ferol, and on the go-cart and with his adopted dog, Buster.

Keith lived most of his later years in Pasadena where he was known to his friends as “Whitey.” He refused to shave his big red beard as it became his identity. People could recognize him by that beard a block away and shout, “Hey, Whitey!”

He was an avid sports fan. With his father being a former football player for USC, Keith was a Trojan by birth. He also loved the Dodgers, Lakers and Green Bay Packers.

He was married to Laura Romano. Their son, Christopher, was their joy. They are so proud of him. Even though Keith and Laura divorced, they always remained friends.

Keith was part of a huge family. Aside from his wonderful son Christopher, Keith loved spending time with his brother, sister, stepmother, many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He was happy to attend big family functions, but the noise level made him happy to also return to his quiet home.

His other family was his “BJ’s family.” He spent many happy hours visiting, debating and cheering with his friends over the latest big game or headlines at his favorite restaurant. His friends called him a “Gentle Giant with a Heart of Gold.”

It is fitting that Keith be buried near his mom, dad and favorite uncle, George, in Spanish Fork, Utah. Keith often felt akin to Uncle George, who enjoyed living by himself, peaceful and quiet, away from the hubbub, and yet loved his family … another “Gentle Giant with a Heart of Gold.”

Funeral services for Keith will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. at The La Crescenta Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4550 Raymond Ave. in La Crescenta.

Funeral directors: CrippenMortuary.com