Jarit Keith

Norman "Jarit" Keith, 81, of Jackson passed away Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at his home, with his loving family surrounding him.

He was born Oct. 10, 1941, in Cairo, Illinois, to the late William "Billie" and Exalee Woodyard Keith of Sikeston, Missouri. He and Janice Laub were married Oct. 10, 1968.

Jarit graduated from Sikeston High School in 1960. He worked in St. Louis at a piano rebuilding shop for two years before opening J & J Motors (Honda Motorcycle Shop) in Sikeston. After selling the business, he worked for Missouri Electric in Cape Girardeau. In 1972, he moved to Denver and worked for Weaver Electric until 1991, at which time he moved back to Jackson. He was a licensed steam locomotive engineer for St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad until his retirement in 2006.

Jarit's passion was his love of music. He was the saxophone player and remaining member of The Goldtones band, popular in the mid-1960s. He played with various other bands over the years. The last few years, he and his wife, Jan, along with Vern Leible, entertained at Chateau Girardeau, Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Cape and Jackson senior centers and Auburn Creek Assisted Living. But his greatest love was being a member of the Praise Team at Cape County Cowboy Church.

Loving survivors include his wife, Janice Laub Keith of Jackson; son, Kevin Jarit (Morgan) Keith of Gordonville; sister-in-law, Kim Laub (Michael Scott) of Sikeston; nephews, Quinton Boardman and Mason (Kristen) Boardman of Sikeston; niece, Heather (Don) Roth of Springfield, Missouri; great-nieces, Kaydynce Boardman and Linly Boardman of Sikeston; great-nephew, Davin Roth of Springfield; cousins, Janie Howle (Tom) Clymer of Lost Springs, Kansas, Susan Howle (Bud) Werner of Sikeston, Amy Clymer (Scott) Adamson of Baldwin City, Kansas, and Zoe Ann Gocke of Sun City, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William J. and Exalee Woodyard Keith, and one brother, Frederick Lee Keith of Sikeston.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Burial will follow at Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Ford and Sons Funeral Home to help the family with funeral expenses.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.