Keith Wayne Johnston

Keith Wayne Johnston was born June 3, 1963, in Albany, Oregon to Betty (Koop) and Ken Johnston.  Keith died of a heart attack on January 9, 2021, in Salem, Oregon.

Keith spent his early years at home in Albany, Oregon with his parents and younger brother, Scott.  Keith was very involved in his church, Albany First Evangelical Church,  during his childhood and early adulthood years, and for many, many years after, at Albany First Church of God, until his health began to decline.  He served on the worship team, sang many a special song, and ran the fireworks stand for numerous years.

Keith spent his working years at Truss Joist, Weyerhauser, Sherwin Williams, and the State of Oregon.

Keith married his love, Kristi Long, on July 10, 2010, in Albany, Oregon.

Keith was a kind, gentle, patient, dependable, loyal, generous, solid man who loved big!  You are a lucky person if Keith loved you.  He loved music, blessing others with his beautiful singing voice, reading, water sports (especially boats & water skiing), fishing, camping, animals (especially his dog, Diego), tinkering with electronics, and spending time with his family and friends.  Keith had a way of drawing people in and was a man you could count on, always there if you needed help or a listening ear.  He possessed a wicked, dry wit that caused much hearty laughter and helped him through many a trial.

Keith is survived by wife Kristi; mother Betty (Johnston) Dalke & husband Jim; brother Scott Johnston; sister of his heart, Lori (Neal) Norton; grandmother Erma Johnston; nieces and nephews Amanda, Jack, Brooklyn, and Julie; uncles Gary (Janet) & Steve Johnston; numerous cousins; Tara & Joe Maffeo; honorary niece Gracie Maffeo; godson Aaron Mosley; goddaughter Kristin Valenzuela; and many lifelong friends.

Keith was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Johnston, grandparents, Ermine Johnston and Pete & Sally Koop, uncle, Leroy Koop, aunt, Dorothy Phillips and cousin, Creed Phillips.

As Keith’s health declined, many people helped to make his last years and months bearable.  Kristi, Betty, Scott & Lori would like to thank the staff of Salem Hospital, Cherry Lift drivers, Davita Dialysis, Melanie Hancock of First Call Home Health, and close friends Liz Clark, Frank Akins, and Toni Draeger.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. on January 23, at the Albany First Church of God.   (Please note the change in service location.) Masks required. Service will be live streamed as well.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home.

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