Eddie Keith, 80
Eddie A. Keith, Major, USMC retired, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away suddenly of natural causes Dec. 15, 2023, at the age of 80. Eddie was born Oct. 18, 1943, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to Salem Keith and Hilda Cardenas, the first of four children. He was born in his mother’s hometown while his father was stationed in Panama. At the age of 3, he and his mother emigrated via Ellis Island to Indiana to be reunited with his father after World War II. Eddie loved growing up in Kendallville, Ind., and always had stories to tell about the “small town” Midwest.
In 1957, the family moved to Santa Ana, Calif., where Eddie thrived in cross country and track in high school and at Santa Ana Junior College. While in college, Eddie was drafted into the Army and served with the 1st Cav in Vietnam, having served three tours from '65-'68. As a “Grunt,” Eddie (Call Sign Trailblazer 2/1) cleared countless Vietnamese tunnels and was inserted into hot LZ’s courtesy of his favorite bird, the Huey, where he was a door gunner manning the M-60. After his tours concluded, Eddie returned to the U.S. and was a drill instructor at Fort Lewis, Wash., before being honorably discharged.
Eddie went back to college using his GI Bill and attended Cal State Long Beach, where he also ran track and cross country while earning a degree in history and a minor in physical education. Upon graduation, Eddie was accepted into Officer Candidate School in his beloved USMC. During this time, he also met the love of his life, Pamela Doeding, and married in 1970. Together, they produced three EPIC, badass MF-in offspring, leaving a lasting legacy of which Eddie was so proud. While serving in the Marine Corps, Eddie was stationed at many locations, including Rodman Naval Station — Panama; Quantico, Va.; and Camp Pendleton, Calif. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989 and moved the family out west to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Eddie had a successful second career as a realtor for multiple brokers in the Coeur d’Alene area Including Better Homes, Windemere, and Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty. Never one to be idle, Eddie continued working in various customer service positions including Bio Life, Lowe's and his most recent and cherished role at Hayden Super 1, where his co-workers and customers enjoyed his friendly demeanor, hugs, and smiles.
Eddie was preceded in death by his parents. His memory will be carried on by his surviving family: His sisters, Estrellita Rilea, Marta (Thurston) Bechtel and Micky Keith; children Chrissy (Glenn) Johnson, Stacy (TJ) Simkins, Michael (Tara) Keith; grandchildren, Kiley (Rachel) Van Keith, Ally (Cole) Burke, Wally Rohr, Jaxon Simkins, Jylian (Jesse) Bunker, Emma, Owen and William Keith; great-grandchildren, Annie, Oaklee, Tucker and Maverick Burke, Max and baby Desa Bunker; many nieces and nephews, as well as numerous close lifetime friends.
Eddie a.k.a. Fast Eddie, Trailblazer 2/1, Papa, renewed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthened his love for God at Candlelight Christian Fellowship roughly 15 years ago.
Eddie’s memorial will take place Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. with full Military Honors at Candlelight Christian Fellowship at 5725 N. Pioneer Drive in Coeur d'Alene with a reception to follow. Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with Eddie’s care. An online obituary may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be sent to Companions Animal Center formally known as Kootenai Humane Society.
Eddie will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His warmth, humor, zest for life, and kindness, especially for the most vulnerable, will be remembered by those who knew and loved him. He will forever remain in our thoughts and our hearts.
Keith