Keith Louis Johnson

Keith Louis Johnson, 58, passed away on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, from injuries received in a logging accident, in the Cocolalla area. He was where he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do. Services will be held at 1:30pm, Sunday, December 13th in the Cocolalla Cowboy Church. Pastor Steve Bradshaw will be officiating. Keith was born on March 22, 1957, in Sandpoint Idaho the son of Kenneth and Ellen Johnson. He attended local schools, graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1975. He worked at the Bonner County Co-op grain elevator with his father and his brother while driving a 1960’s Ford Ranchero muscle car. He joined the volunteer fire department and the Bonner County sheriff’s reserve program and would later work as a dispatcher for the Bonner County Sheriff’s office. During this time he also worked with Sandpoint Ambulance for Fred Hartman. He became a member of the Westside Fire District and was instrumental in bringing to fruition a fire service contract between Sandpoint and the district. His dedication and hard work improved the fire rating classification from unprotected to a protection class 8, providing improved fire protection and a substantial savings in insurance premiums. Eventually he was offered, and accepted, the position of Chief of the District, a position he held until resigning for health reasons. Keith loved children and for many years offered his family farm, a 1919 homesteaded farm by his family, for fire department winter picnics. He thrilled the children, of the firefighters, with his antics, sledding opportunities and snowmobile rides. He married Gayle Collier on January 10, 2001 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Keith attended the Cocolalla Cowboy Church and was a former member of the Eagles Lodge Aerie #589. He raised a big garden, canned the produce and then cooked big meals for family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, farming and making hay, working in the woods on logging projects, raising chickens, but most of all his family and hard work. Survivors include his wife Gayle of Sandpoint; children Garrett Johnson, Amanda Johnson, Grace Johnson, Zach Johnson, and Faith Johnson all of Sandpoint; a brother Kenny Johnson, of Sagle; 2 grandchildren Zeke and Oliver; and his longtime friend Trish Fields of Sandpoint. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and a baby sister Susan Johnson.