Keith Ava

We bid Aloha to the most kindest, gentlest, caring, loving and humble person we have ever known. Keith Samuel Ava passed away on March 10, 2026, doing what he loved best, traveling with his family. He was born in Kahuku, Hawaii on July 1, 1949, to Vili and Marie Alapa Ava. As a child he grew up in Laie, Hawaii alongside his brother, Gordon and sister Nell, as well as many other dear cousins. He often shared fond memories of cherished, simple times; surfing Goat Island, swimming Beauty Hole, chasing mosquito truck, playing tricks on Grandma Alesi and Nell, hiking Ko’oloau Mountain Range and finding old WWII can rations, and enjoying pake cake from Sam’s store. He attended Laie Elementary, and Kahuku Intermediate & High School. In the 8th grade he left the islands to live with his dad in Southern California for a year. He graduated, or was “released” as he called it, from Kahuku High School in 1968. While at Kahuku he played football and was well known for his athletic abilities and was an All-state player in his junior and senior years. His older brother and cousins would encourage his talents and place bets on his touchdowns. After high school he joined the United States Navy and served for four years as an A7E airplane captain, Wing 9 aboard the USS America, USS Enterprise, and USS Constellation. He sailed around the world twice and endured three tours of Vietnam. Upon completion of his Naval duties, he visited St. George Utah to visit family attending Dixie College and fell in love with the beauty of the area. He ended up staying and enrolling at Dixie College in the Aeronautical program and played football. About halfway through his first year, he became very ill and was diagnosed with Gilliam Barre syndrome which nearly cost him his life. He fought in the Salt Lake City University of Utah Hospital for a full year and had to re-learn how to walk again. Regaining his strength, he found himself back in St. George Utah at Dixie College to continue his aeronautical education and earned his private pilot license! He loved to take his cousins and close friends on airplane rides and was known to turn off engines, do stalls, spins and dead stick landings. Being around and working on airplanes and hanging out at the old airport was his passion! He landed a job at SkyWest Airlines in 1975 and served for 40 years. Here he made MANY lifelong friendships, served countless passengers, and gave tours to elementary kids and boy scout troops loading them on the baggage carts and driving them up and down the runway and taxiways. He supported his family, traveled the world and took countless trips to Oahu to reconnect with loved ones, indulge in the island foods he missed so much and be the #1 supporter to the pride of the North Shore, his Kahuku Red Raider Football teams! While eating one day at A&W in St. George he met the love of his life, Patricia Gentry. She didn’t know if he really liked her or if he was just after some free food! He enjoyed learning from Pat, the ways of a dairy farmer’s daughter and took to feeding the baby calves and learning how to operate the John Deer tractors. It took about 5 years, but they finally got married in the Laie temple on July 7, 1979. In 1983 they were blessed with their daughter Kanani Marie. She became the pride and joy of his life. Kanani and Keith were inseparable. He was the best dad! He never missed any of her sporting events. He taught her how to swim, bike, hunt for and cut down the best Christmas tree on Pine Mountain, shoot a gun, avoid boys, ski, surf, fly a Cessna, and drive at 8 years old… Which came in handy one winter when they both went snowboarding at Brian Head and Keith got a concussion and Kanani had to drive him all the way home at age 13. His same supportive love continued when he became the best “Papa” to Anu and Ini girl. He loved and spoiled them! They loved to spend time with him, listen to his stories and go eat McDonalds and ice cream together. He looked forward to attending their various school, music and dance performances as well as sporting events. And keeping up with tradition has even taught them to drive already too! Keith liked to reminisce of the old town of St. George and share with others the nostalgia that when he arrived in 1974, he was the first Polynesian to settle and at that time there was only one stop light in town! Everyone he knew, he loved and would constantly provide service to them. He was everybody's friend, uncle or cousin. He truly lived the Aloha spirit by checking in with others often, feeding and housing all who came to visit, even those he just met. You could always find him taking videos at Kahuku football games and family and friend events, standing in the back, quietly recording with his usual calm and patient demeanor. He prided himself in being able to share these football games and special moments with others as gifts of VHS, DVD’s and the like. Keith was a faithful member of the church and had many callings that have influenced more lives than we know. We will all miss his great laugh, his stories and jokes and his Christlike characteristics. Keith is survived by his brothers Gordon Broad and Lafoia Ava, and sister Paula Estrella Pimental. His dear wife, Patricia Gentry, daughter Kanani Marie (Sioeli Nau), and the two apples-of-his-eye Granddaughters, Anuhea Patricia (13) and Ailine Nell (11). Funeral services will be held at the LDS Stake Center 1295 S. 3000 E. St. George, Utah. Viewing, music and talk story/ Kanikapila Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 5:00-9:00pm. Viewing Friday, April 3,2026,6 9:00-10:30am. Bishop’s service 11:00am. Interment at Tonaquint Cemetery.

Keith Ava

July 1, 1949 - March 10, 2026