Keith Donald West

Keith Donald West was born July 22, 1931, in Salt Lake City to John Dangerfield and Amanda Roth West. He passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the age of 94, a beautiful fall day surrounded by numerous family members.

Keith attended Salt Lake City schools and graduated from South High School in 1948. He attended the University of Utah, where he majored in journalism with a minor in art. While at the university, he served as an editor of The Daily Utah Chronicle and was employed part-time at the Deseret News and United Press International. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1952.

On April 29, 1950, Keith met Marjorie Mary Thalmann while ice skating at Hygeia Iceland in Sugar House. They were engaged on July 4, 1951, and married on March 17, 1952, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

Keith served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as an information specialist with the 6th Infantry Division of the Sixth Army. He also attended the Armed Forces Information School at Fort Slocum, NY.

Following his honorable release, Keith returned to the University of Utah and received a master’s degree in journalism with a minor in sociology in 1956.

In November 1957, Keith joined the Deseret News as promotion manager in charge of the newspaper’s public service programs. During his 37 years at the newspaper, he helped to organize and direct numerous events. Many of the programs are still in existence today.

In 1970, he organized the Deseret News Marathon, the state’s first race of 26.2 miles and served as race director for 24 years. In 1984, he added the 10K (6.2 miles) in conjunction with the marathon, making it the only combined race of its kind in Utah at that time.

Both races have been recognized among the nation’s best organized, and in 1988 Keith was named by Runner’s World Magazine among the top 25 race organizers in the United States.

He was one of the organizers of the Deseret News-KSL Sterling Scholar Awards program and served as co-director or director for 32 years. The statewide program was designed to recognize the scholastic excellence, leadership and citizenship of Utah high school seniors.

Under his direction, the statewide spelling bee was organized in 1977 to become a part of the National Spelling Bee.

Keith has served on advisory boards for the Salt Lake Area Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Advertising Federation, the Community Services Council, the Bountiful/Davis Art Center, and the Bountiful Handcarts Days. He also served more than 30 years on the board of directors for Days of ’47, Inc., as well as a member of the organization’s rodeo and parade committees.

He received national awards from the International Newspaper Promotion Association for his work in community relations. In 1982, he received an honorary lifetime membership from the Utah Congress of Parents and Teachers “in recognition of devoted and distinguished service to children and youth.”

He was a member of the National Association of Personnel Directors and served in numerous church callings, including three different bishoprics. He and his wife served many years as ordinance workers in the Bountiful LDS Temple.

Keith is survived by his ‘Little Marjie’, Marjorie West of 73 years, two sons and three daughters, Kevin D. (Christine) West, LaGrange, GA.; Kelly D. (Tricia) West, Riverton; Kailene (Tony) Fieldsted, Pleasant Grove; Kim (Grant) Sorensen, Centerville; and Kristie (Mark) Swain, Bountiful, 19 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren with three on the way.

Viewings will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street in Bountiful, Utah, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again on Monday, October 20, 2025, from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the Bountiful 19th Ward Chapel, 1540 North 400 East, Bountiful, Utah, with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be at Memorial Lakeview Cemetery in Bountiful, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.