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Keith Pugh, 41

Keith Michael Pugh “Stinky,” 41, passed away Sept. 14, 2017, in Weippe, Idaho. He was engaged to his beautiful fiancée, Elizabeth Victoria Arnold “Lizzie.” Keith was born in St. Maries, Idaho, on July 9, 1976, to Stan Pugh and Katherine Ragan (Hatcher).

He graduated from Post Falls High School in 1994 and continued his education at the University of Idaho. It was then, the adventures began. Keith loved to travel and see the world. His favorite spots included Denali, Alaska; St. John, V.I.; Thailand; Chile; Costa Rica, just to name a few. In the last decade, Keith has been committed to fighting Wildland Fires. He started this journey with the Modoc Hot Shot Crew and most recently found his way back home and worked as a Helitek Crew Manager in Weippe. He belonged to the St. Maries Elks Lodge 1418.

Keith had a passion for life, music and football. He frequented concerts with his friends and family, and to his family’s surprise, recently became a fan of underground country music. He never missed a football game and would always help out with fantasy picks. He loved the outdoors and being with his friends.

The relationships he had were his core, his everything. Keith was a kind soul who touched everyone he met, wherever he was. He loved his dog, Copper, whom he shared with his fiancée, Lizzie. Keith was always there for an ear to listen, a hand to help and a heart to share. His presence on this Earth will be greatly missed. Keith is irreplaceable and will never be forgotten.

Keith is survived by his fiancée, Elizabeth Victoria Arnold of Creston, B.C.; his parents, Katherine (Ragan) and Robert Hatcher of Post Falls, Idaho, and Stanley and Gerri Pugh of St. Maries; siblings Carissa Stone of Spokane, Wash., Monica and Steve Nemeth of St. Maries, Christopher and Patrick Krous of Spokane Valley, Wash.; grandparents Maudie Hatcher of Post Falls and Mary Sweitzer of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; nieces and nephews including Kaya and Addyson Stone of Spokane, Kelcie and Colton Herzog of Fernwood, Idaho, Weston Harvey of Coeur d’Alene, KatieJo Olenslager of Rathdrum, Idaho, Matthew Krous of Spokane Valley, Samantha Krous of Coeur d’Alene, Lily Krous of Rathdrum, Cory and Trisha Nemeth of St. Maries, Andy and Amy Nemeth of Boise, Idaho, and Nicole and Cameron Burton of Cataldo, Idaho; five great-nieces and nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Keith’s memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls, reception to follow.

Memorial donations sent in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation at www.wffoundation.org or (208) 336-2996 in Keith’s name.

Bell Tower Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. You may view his online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.