Arnold "Keith" Schlappy

Arnold Keith Schlappy passed away quietly on April 25, 2017.
Keith was born in St. George, Utah on November 7, 1929. He was the second child of Henry Arnold and Dula LaRee Schlappy. His family moved to Missoula, Montana in 1935, where he graduated from Missoula County High School.
Keith married Mavis Ann Steele on June 21, 1955 in the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Keith and Mavis were active members of the church throughout their lives, and dedicated to its service.
Keith served as a missionary at the age of 20, and was assigned to the Central Pacific Mission in Hawaii. It was an inspirational time of his life, and his mission was a great success. He would later serve the church in many other capacities, including that of a Bishop and High Priest. He was always loved and respected by the members for his compassionate and caring manner. Keith loved to sing, and it was a special pleasure for him to be part of the church's choir for many years.
Keith also briefly served in the United States Army. Although he was an honor graduate in basic training, he was eventually given a medical discharge because at six foot, eight inches tall, he was too tall for the service at that time.
Keith and Mavis moved to their home in East Missoula in 1960, where they would continue to live and raise their family throughout their lives. Keith worked as a mechanic, and for the Beneficial Life Insurance Company, before becoming an electrician, the trade that served him well for many years, until his retirement.
Keith loved the outdoors. As a young man he was an avid hunter and fisherman with his father and brother, Reldon. He later would instill this love for nature in his family. He and Mavis would regularly pack up the family for weekend camping excursions, trips to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, or their special spot at Hoodoo Lake. The annual family fishing trips to Lake Mary Ronan have been a long, cherished tradition. Keith and Mavis also loved to go to the National Bison Range in their later years, where they would observe and photograph nature's beauty.
A man of many talents and interests, Keith enjoyed many passions throughout his life. He was a talented leather tooler, crafting beautiful items for family members and friends. He loved photography and always had his camera at the ready, whether on a marvelous trip to Alaska with Mavis, or a casual afternoon in the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Model railroading was a hobby shared with Mavis, Rock and other family members. His expansive H.O. train layout is a thing to behold, taking up the better part of the basement in his home. Keith delighted in running the trains for anyone taking an interest.
Aside from being a loving husband and father, Keith is perhaps best remembered for his kindness and generosity. He had true compassion for others, and freely gave of his time and possessions to assist those less fortunate or going through troubled times in their lives. Keith was a "people-person". His empathy for others, his ability to make a friend of anyone, and his kind heart endeared him to many.
Keith was preceded in death by Mavis, his wife of 58 years; his daughter, Lezlie Rae; his grandson, Brian; his sister, Lela and brother, Reldon; and his parents Henry Arnold and Dula LaRee Schlappy.
He is survived by his sons, Brent and his wife Judy, John and Rock; granddaughter Melissa and her husband, John; step-grandchildren Nikki and Ryan; and great-grandchildren Katie, Isaac, Andrew, Lizzie and Peter.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 at the LDS Church at 3201 Bancroft with viewing beginning at 10 a.m. A dedication of the grave will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in the care of John Schlappy, 523 Speedway, Missoula, MT 59802.