John Daniel Keith's Obituary
John Daniel Keith, 85, of Umatilla, Fl died peacefully, Saturday, November 16, 2019, at
home in Umatilla with his wife by his side.
John (JD) leaves his wife Avie, of 58-years, his son, Curtis and his wife, Joleen of North
Carolina; his granddaughter, Brittany Elizabeth, of South Korea, and is predeceased by
his brother, Robert Keith and sister, Lola Moss, and has many nieces and nephews and
close friends.
Born in Bushnell, FL, the son of Robert and Beula Mae Keith, on February 4, 1934.
JD served in the United States Army for six years and honorably discharged and earned
his respected designation as an Army Veteran.
JD retired from Grove Caretakers, Inc in 1999 as the grove foreman after 32-years and
worked as a heavy equipment operator for Blondy’s Manufacturing of Astatula.
In his early years living in Astatula, JD served as the first Chief of the Volunteer Fire
Department for 19-years before it turned over to County. He helped organize cake walks
and dances to raise money for Astatula’s first fire truck. JD was very active in the town
of Astatula; serving as the town’s council for two years; leading the way to build roads
and keep them grated. He also helped install the water system in the Astatula cemetery.
JD and Avie moved to Tavares from Astatula in 1983. They lived there for 22-years until
they moved to Umatilla to retire in 2005.
His hobby, four-wheel ATV’s and race cars; racing his beloved No. 25 at the Speed World
in Orlando and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He still has his four-wheeler.
JD is remembered as a son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, fierce friend
and beloved by everyone who knew him.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?
