Thayne Pierce Keele, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, teacher, coach, and friend was born in Payson, Utah on October 12, 1942, to Marcel and Virginia Keele. Thayne returned to the arms of his Savior on April 30, 2023.

Thayne was a twin and the oldest of ten children born into the Marcel and Virginia Keele family of Spanish Fork, Utah. He grew up in Spanish Fork and loved sports, especially playing baseball. While in high school, Thayne's family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Thayne began attending Bonneville High School. This was quite an adjustment for Thayne when he realized Bonneville did not have a baseball team. It was at this time that Thayne began running track. When he first told his father that he was joining the track team, his dad replied that he might need a horse. Little did either of them know that competing and coaching track and field would become something that provided Thayne with opportunity and great joy throughout his life. Following graduation from Bonneville High School, Thayne attended Ricks College on an athletic scholarship playing football and running track. Thayne always said that if it weren't for the athletic scholarship he never would have attended college. During his time at Ricks College, Thayne met the love of his life, Marie Thomas. Thayne first saw Marie while hitchhiking from Rexburg to Idaho Falls when Marie and her mother, Verda Thomas, stopped to give him a ride. Marie didn't talk to him during that ride, but Thayne thought she was beautiful. Thayne later saw Marie at Ricks College and always told the story of how he had to stand in line to get a chance to meet her. Thayne and Marie were married and sealed as eternal companions on August 28, 1962 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Thayne graduated with an associate degree from Ricks College. He then continued his education at Brigham Young University where he completed his bachelor's degree.

Following college Thayne was hired for his first job as a teacher and coach at Soda Springs High School. Thayne loved to teach and coach. During his career, he taught biology, physiology, zoology, junior high science, and physical education. He coached football, basketball, and track at both Grace and Soda Springs. He truly cared for each individual student he had the opportunity to associate with. It didn't matter whether the student was a good student or struggled with school, Thayne cared for them individually. He treated every student with whom he interacted with dignity and respect. He always saw the best and brought the best out in people. As a former student so eloquently said, "He believed in and saw potential in people whose gifts and talents may have been overlooked or minimized by others". He taught many generations of students in Caribou County and loved when a new student would come and tell him that he had coached or taught their father or mother. When they started telling him that he coached or taught their grandparents he joked that it must be time to retire.

He was an incredible father, teaching his children the importance of both fun and hard work.  During the summers and after school his children often had the "opportunity" to work with Thayne pouring cement. He joked that he poured cement to support his teaching habit. However, the truth was Thayne truly loved both teaching school and doing cement work. Most of all, he loved interacting with people and helping them progress to their potential.

Thayne was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in whatever capacity asked of him. However, his best acts of service were quiet and offered individually. He always made time for others, and typically he had a life metaphor to address any quandary. He had a deep faith in his Savior and did his best to keep the two great commandments:  Love God, and Love your neighbor.

Thayne is survived by his sister Anna (Al) Ribucan, brother Frank (Carolyn) Keele, sister Rebecca Hunsaker (Blaine) Barney, sister Christine (Cory) Muhlestein, and several brothers and sisters-in-law.  He was the amazing father of seven children, Jeff (Elizabeth) Keele; Ric (Nathan) Keele; Collette (Dana) Keele; Colleen (Mike) Jacobson; Brent (Shanna) Keele; Alan (Kim) Keele; Dave (Keri) Keele, 31 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Marie Thomas Keele, beloved parents, Marcel and Virginia Keele, his son Alan, his grandson Max, his great-grandson Oaker, and his siblings Blaine Keele, Kathy Keele, Marilyn Keele, Debbie Blair, and Danny Keele. Our family takes great comfort in the fantastic heavenly reunion occurring during this time.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, May 8 ^th , 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grace at 11:00 AM . The family will meet with friends and loved ones from 9:30-10:30 AM . Interment will be held at the Turner Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the sweet neighbors and friends in this wonderful community who so lovingly provided service, watched over him, and loved him.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, those so inclined can make a donation to the Thayne Keele Memorial Scholarship Fund which will be awarded to track athletes from Grace and Soda Springs High Schools. In this way, Thayne can continue to positively influence the lives of young men and women who also love the sport that helped shape his life. Donations can be made to the Thayne Keele Scholarship Fund at any Ireland Bank location, or sent via Venmo to @Brent-Keele