Keith Bash
Funeral services for Earl “Keith” Bash, 74, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in West Plains under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Earl “Keith” Bash was born June 24, 1941, in Monticello, Missouri, and died peacefully at home surrounded by family June 27, 2015. He accepted Christ at an early age, and professed his faith his entire life. After moving to West Plains, his early years were spent in attendance, with his family, at The Christian Church, where he held many fond memories. Upon returning from the service, he rededicated his life, and was baptized at The First Baptist Church, where he faithfully attended for 50 years.
He was the only son of Earl (Spider) and Mary Virginia Bash. He attended West Plains High School and graduated with the Class of 1959, where he developed friendships that would deepen throughout his lifetime. After returning from the United States Navy in 1963, he worked alongside his father in the dozing business.
On June 26, 1965, he was married to Kaye Jean Talley. His final day was spent celebrating his 50th Anniversary. To this union two sons were born: Keegan Bash and wife, Lori, and Kaenan Bash and wife, Kristi. After the death of his sister, Judy Wheat, they were given the privilege of being a part of Dennis, Michael and Tracy Wheat’s lives. Michael would continue to live in their home until he left to attend college.
Keith spent the next 30 years working for the telephone company, where he remained until his retirement in 1995. At that time, he began working alongside his wife in their business, A & K Interiors, until the business was sold in 2004.
His sons and nephew blessed him with seven grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Poppy”. They include: Denby, Kemper, and Brinkley Bash, Kathryn Vonallmen Bash, Braydon Bash, and Andrew and Sarah Wheat.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife’s parents, Truman and Lorene Talley; sister, Judy Wheat; brothers-in-law, Harry Penn, Gordenceia and Menard Talley, and his nephew, Gordenceia Talley, Jr.
Keith’s life was characterized by a devotion to his family and those he encountered in need and was expressed in many ways. After his father’s stroke, he and Kaye Jean lovingly cared for him in their home for several years. His children and grandchildren were always his top priorities. Their hobbies and interests became his hobbies and interests so that he was able to spend quality time and make many priceless memories with them. The family’s cabin on the river was a very peaceful place to him, and he looked forward to sharing it with family and friends. Keith enjoyed a lifelong love for Harley Davidson motorcycles and rode many miles with a special group made up of family and friends. He always looked forward to taking Kaye Jean and his sons on many family vacations, and in later years enjoyed several cruises and trips with Kaye Jean. He lived a life of thankfulness and remained positive until the very end. His friends remembered him as someone who was fun-loving and witty.
He is survived by his wife; his sons, their wives and grandchildren; his sister, Debbie Penn, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Keith Bash is scheduled for 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in the Langston Street Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. The family requests that memorial contributions in Keith’s honor be mailed to Ozarks Christian Academy, P.O. Box 1620, West Plains, Missouri, or left with the staff at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Jim Rickman
June 28, 2015 @ 12:36 pm
A dear friend, always upbeat and happy. No one will replace him. He will be missed by so many. May God bless the family he leaves behind.
Wanda Hardman
June 28, 2015 @ 3:33 pm
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Keith and I worked for the phone company and he was a very special friend. He could make you laugh and forget how scared you were and take on a job that was hard.
Kay Jean may God hold you and Keith in his arms and help you through this. God bless you and your family.
Love Wanda Hartdman
Ken Lewis
June 29, 2015 @ 9:52 am
Kay Jean
Very sorry to hear of your loss. I know Keith will be sadly missed
Judy Coiner
June 29, 2015 @ 11:28 am
I will always remember Keith Bash. What a wonderful friend, neighbor, and Christian. We are blessed to have known him. I pray for all the family and know they have such special memories with Keith. I hope these memories will be a comfort. His legacy to the family couldn’t be better. I love all of you and pray God will strengthen you and give you peace. Be the best you can be for Keith. I know you will. Love, Judy and Bob Coiner
Judy Coiner
June 29, 2015 @ 11:36 am
We will always remember Keith Bash. What a wonderful friend, neighbor, and Christian. We are blessed to have known him. I pray that the family will be comforted by the special memories they have of Keith. He gave a special legacy to Kaye Jean, Keegan, Kaenan, and Michael and of course his adoring grandchildren. Be the best you can be for Keith. I know you will. I pray God will help you feel his love and peace. We love you, Bob and Judy
Jan Surritte
June 29, 2015 @ 2:03 pm
My heart is saddened by the loss of Keith. Keith and Kay Jean have been a part of our extended family for 24 years. They have always been a special couple to us, and Keith will be greatly missed by all whose lives he and Kay Jean have touched.
Rita Huddleston Jackson
June 29, 2015 @ 5:05 pm
Kaye Jean, Keegan, and Kaenan, I am so very sorry to learn of Keith’s death. He was a special man and loved by those who knew him. You are in my prayers.
Hassel and Alice Vandergriff
June 29, 2015 @ 9:33 pm
We are so sorry for your loss; we are thinking of you! God bless you.
Sharon Neathery
June 30, 2015 @ 9:53 am
My thoughts and prayers with the family at this time. Keith was a wonderful man and left a wonderful legacy.
Vonna Hudson
June 30, 2015 @ 10:43 am
So sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. I remember Keith as a wonderful friend and classmate with the class of ’59. Prayers and condolences to all his family. He was a wonderful man. Take comfort in all the precious memories he left behind.
Connie Camden
June 30, 2015 @ 2:14 pm
Kaenan, Hugs and prayers to you and the rest of the family. Hold on to all the wonderful memories! Love to all.
Mike and Diana Pace
June 30, 2015 @ 10:57 pm
Our thoughts and prayers with the family of Keith Bash. May God grant you with comfort and peace.
Doyle and Lynch
July 1, 2015 @ 1:31 pm
It is with a heavy heart that I extend our sincere condolences. Keith was such a wonderful person and truly one of the good guys. Our thoughts, prayers and hearts are with you today and in the days to come. He left an example for all of us to follow. Love to all of you.
David and Wilma Schwien
July 1, 2015 @ 1:54 pm
So very sorry for your loss. His love for his beloved “Katie” and family was so evident. Your in our prayer.
Barbara Pearl
July 1, 2015 @ 6:36 pm
I am so sorry for your loss, and I know he will be greatly missed. We are unable to make
it, but our prayers are with you.
Bill Galloway
July 1, 2015 @ 7:43 pm
It was sad to hear of Keith’s passing but also very exciting. I know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Keith has gone on now but we who are Christians will join him in the future. To the family I pray God’s peace upon you. I considered Keith a friend and brother in the Lord. We went to School for 12 years together. A lot of great memories. He will be missed by many. A good man. God bless you all.
Bill Galloway
Tim and Judy DeShazo
July 1, 2015 @ 8:09 pm
We both are sorry for your loss.
Corbin Bushong
July 1, 2015 @ 11:31 pm
Keith worked for me and with for 5 years and I always knew I could depend on him to evaluate the job, do the job right. I remember when he and I would work out the issues he would bring to me as a grievance. We were always good friends the and when we worked together he would take the hard part of the job leaving me with the easy part.
Keith will be missed. Kaye Jean you and the rest of the family are in my prayers and may God hold you in his hands during this time of remembering all your happy times together. Yes Keith always had a joke to brighten your day.
Sandy McNevin
July 2, 2015 @ 12:24 pm
Saddened to learn of the passing of Keith.
I remember all of the family from the Christian Church family. Although all the kids were older than me, I can still recall some of the times from picnics, Bible School, holidays, Morning and Evening services where there was so many fond memories of happy times. After all, they were in HIGH SCHOOL and I was upper grade school. And, they got to have FUN!
Thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time and in the future.
Darla Smith
July 2, 2015 @ 3:29 pm
Thinking and praying for you and your family Kay Jean. I am so sorry for your loss.