Keith Ewing, 61, passed away at his home on French Road, Sandpoint, on Nov. 11, 2018.

He was born to Darrell and Alice Ewing in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on December 29, 1957. Our family moved to Colburn in 1962 where Keith attended grade school. He travelled to Sandpoint for junior and senior high school.

He worked at the Colburn Mill for 23 years starting out as a laborer then became an apprentice heavy equipment operator where he found his calling. He was a very accomplished equipment operator and worked his way up the ladder to become the log yard landing leadman. He was the last paid employee at the site and helped demolish the mill when it was closed. He parked out the property by machine when the demolition was complete, reclaiming the land.

Keith moved to Ravensdale, Washington, where he worked for Reserve Silica Corporation for six years until the plant closed. His duties were plant operation and maintenance, mining and stockpiling product, mineral testing and heavy equipment operation.

Returning to Sandpoint in 2006 he was able to find employment with Peak Sand & Gravel. He worked with a crusher crew, operated loaders, articulated dump trucks, excavators, bulldozers or whatever was needed to get the job done. It was a job that he loved and he was crushed when in 2018, ill health, and COPD, which required the use of supplemental oxygen, forced him to retire.

He is survived by his daughter, Shyla Ewing, Pack River; father Darrell Ewing, Sandpoint; brothers Paul Ewing, Priest River (Sheryl), and Ken Ewing, Beaverton, Oregon; niece Kristy Beierman (Dan); nephew David Ewing (Lori), Seattle Washington; and great-niece Kailey Lieuallen, Coeur d’Alene.

Friends and family are invited to join a celebration of life to be held at the Eagles Lodge, 1511 John Hudon Lane, Sandpoint, at 1 p.m. on June 29, 2019. Please join the family for finger foods and shared memories.