On October 29, 2022, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, C. Keith Rooker, passed peacefully into the arms of his loved ones who have gone before him after succumbing to the effects of a stroke. He is preceded in death by his father (Clifton Aird Rooker) and mother (Edna Illum Rooker). He was married to Nancy Iretta Briggs from 1959-1983. He married Lousje Beyers Webb on June 8, 1984. He is survived by his adoring wife (Lousje), children Elizabeth Grannis (Bob), John (Rori), David (Rachel), Paul (Jennifer), Andrea Freeman (Jason), Sara Bardo (Ryan), 21 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and sister Frances Rooker Richardson.
Keith was born in Modesto, California, on November 5, 1937 to wonderful parents who taught him the values of hard work, integrity, generosity, honesty, and faithfulness. He was gifted with a brilliant mind that was reflected in his stellar academic record, graduating as a member of the National Honor Society from Modesto’s Thomas Downey High School in 1955, Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University in 1958, and with a Juris Doctorate with Honors from the University of Chicago Law School in 1961, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and served as the Major Articles Editor of the University of Chicago Law Review.
Keith served as the Law Clerk to Justice Roger J. Traynor of The Supreme Court of the State of California from 1961-62. He then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and became an associate and later partner in the Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy law firm. He was a founding faculty member of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University where he taught from 1973-1980. He particularly loved his associations with Rex Lee and Dale Kimball (his chosen brother), and thoroughly enjoyed teaching his students the art of critical thinking. In 1975, he helped form the law firm of Rooker, Larsen, Kimball & Parr (now Parr Brown Gee & Loveless), where his practice consisted of complex civil litigation and business transactional work. In 1985, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to become a Senior Executive with American Pacific Corporation, a former client. Following a catastrophic explosion at its main plant in Henderson, Nevada in 1988, Keith was instrumental in helping the company rebuild its business (Western Electrical Chemical Company) in Cedar City, Utah. In 1997, Keith left the company to form the law firm of Rooker Rawlins LLP in Henderson, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah. After closing the firm in 2010, he continued the private practice of law, business consultation, and mediation until his retirement in January 2022. He was tremendously successful in his career because of his ability to quickly and completely identify and analyze problems, and to come up with creative solutions. He also used that skill set within his family when members came to him for advice, earning the nickname of “Magic Man.” He enjoyed mentoring his young partners and law clerks, hoping to instill in them a strong sense of integrity, a love for the Constitution, a commitment to the Rule of Law, and the importance of meticulous work.
Keith was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in various assignments including as Bishop (twice), Elders’ Quorum President, High Counselor, and Gospel Doctrine Teacher. His greatest joy and sense of fulfillment came from his service as an Ordinance Worker, Shift Coordinator, Staff Coordinator, and Trainer in the Salt Lake Temple from 2002-2017. He cherished the brothers and sisters with whom he served, and his understanding of and love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, grew exponentially through the blessing of temple service with Lousje.
Keith had a deep love of music. He especially loved, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Handel, and the hymns of Zion. He played the violin during his teenage years, sang in community musicals, and sang with various choral groups. He conducted Ward, Stake, Regional Conference, and Temple church choirs for over 60 years.
Keith was an ardent Disney fan, beginning with his first trip to Disneyland during Grand Opening Week in July 1955. His enthusiasm was contagious as he spearheaded multiple family trips there each year throughout his life. He also enjoyed playing golf, fishing in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming, traveling internationally to experience other cultures, and spending time with his cherished Lousje, beloved family, extended family, and treasured friends. His example will continue to strengthen and bless their lives.
The family is deeply grateful for the loving and kindhearted care of the staff at Capitol Hill Senior Living Memory Care and the staff at Inspiration Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 12, at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake Stake Center located at 951 East 100 South, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held at the same location on Friday, November 11, from 5:30-7:30 pm and prior to Saturday’s funeral service from 10:00-10:45 am. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please remember Keith through a random act of kindness and consider participating in your church choir.
