Keith Earl Shoemaker was born on a rainy night in the backseat of a car at the Richland Wye, June 24th, 1942. His parents Lloyd and Zora Shoemaker were headed to Lourdes hospital and praying that he would hold on just a little bit longer, but Keith just couldn't wait. On Sunday, August 19th, 2012, Keith finished this part of his journey at the age of 70 years. He was asked to hold on just a little bit longer, but he just couldn't wait. It was time to go home and see his Heavenly Father, family and friends. Keith was a lifelong Benton City resident. He graduated from Kiona-Benton High School in 1960 and from Eastern Washington University in 1968. In the late 1960s Keith worked for Western Farmers and was, at that time, the youngest Plant Manager in the company's sixty-year history. Keith then worked for Iowa Beef, for WPPSS for nineteen-years as a Facilities Maintenance Manager and then finished up his career with a number of years at Hanford. In his "retired" years, Keith was kept extra busy with his grandchildren and taking care of dogs and other animals with his love, Bonnie. At all phases of his life, Keith was an incredibly hard working, respected and well-liked person. At an early age, Keith wanted to help the family in any way that he could, even working at age 13 as the graveyard shift, dishwasher for a restaurant. Keith never shied away from hard work. Keith married Nancy Shook in 1966 and the two both worked tirelessly to build a life together. They were blessed with the birth of their eldest, Lance, in 1971 and youngest, Kevin, in 1973. Keith enjoyed hunting, classic cars, spending time with friends and family and was incredibly supportive of his sons' sports and school activities. Keith was the fifth of seven children that along with their parents made a closely knit family. Keith was preceded in death by both of his parents Lloyd and Zora Shoemaker, stepfather Royce Thompson, brother Harold Shoemaker and sisters Shirley Shoemaker, Pat Wilson and Sharon Rouse. Keith is survived by his brother Dawaine Ruth Shoemaker, sister Sue Milton, former wife Nancy John Walsh, longtime companion Bonnie Primus, brothers-in-law, Steve Rouse and Jerry Liz Shook, sisters-in-law, Nona Shoemaker and Donna Whittle, his sons, Lance Stephanie Shoemaker and Kevin Kristin Shoemaker, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom he adored and six grandkids that held a special place in his life, Ahnica, Kelton, Kaelyn, Sawyer and Toryn children of Lance and Stephanie Shoemaker and Gideon son of Kevin and Kristin Shoemaker. Services will be held Saturday, August 25th at the First United Methodist Church in Benton City. A viewing will be available from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., services will begin at 11:00 a.m. and a brief graveside service to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Benton City.