Douglas Lee Keithly

Douglas Lee Keithly, a proud veteran of the United States Army, passed away on August 21, 2025. He died surrounded by family after a tractor accident in his orchard. He was 84.

Doug was born on November 24, 1940, in Council, Idaho. He grew up with his twin brother, David, on the family homestead in Midvale, Idaho. The brothers farmed 160 acres of hay and operated a fuel station during their high school years. After graduating from Midvale High School in 1959, Doug worked on the Oxbow Dam on the Snake River. From there he went to cosmetology school in Boise, Idaho, then migrated to California where he worked for a stint at a high-end salon in Los Angeles.

At age 22, Doug enlisted in the United States Army and was put on a fast-tracked path to become an officer. Doug answered the call to serve in the Vietnam War for two and a half tours. He was a helicopter and airplane pilot, logging more than 1,600 hours of combat time in the cockpit. Doug was honored to fly Comedian Martha Raye to entertain troops on a USO tour in Vietnam.

After 15 years as an Army aviator, Doug was grounded due to hearing problems. He finished his military career as a strategic intelligence officer in Army Forces Command. He earned the rank of major and many dozens of bars, badges and medals, including a bronze star medal, air medal, and Army commendation medal. One officer evaluation reads, “Subordinates of Maj. Keithly are the most thoroughly and professionally developed of any in this command.”

After honorably retiring from the Army, Doug eventually made his way to Yakima where he became an orchardist. Over the years he grew apples, apricots, nectarines, cherries, Bartlett pears, and several varieties of Asian pears. Doug’s vegetable garden was big enough to feed a platoon.

Doug was adventurous by air, land, and sea. He loved motorcycles and fast cars, fishing, scuba diving, and most of all, flying his plane. Doug was fiercely himself. He’d rather be an hour early than a minute late. He never backed down from a debate or sugarcoated anything. Beneath the sometimes-gruff exterior was a soft spot for his granddaughters and a deep loyalty to his country. And he was always up for a game of pinochle.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents Darrow and Lillian (Hepp) Keithly. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Keithly; twin brother David (Loree) Keithly of Yakima, WA; son James Travis Keithly of Midvale, ID; stepdaughters Haley Kauzlarich and Barbara Arnott of Cle Elum, WA; stepson David Owens of Kodiak, AK; nephew Douglas Keithly of Fort Morgan, CO and niece Shay Wagner of Littleton, CO; five step-grandchildren; and Curly, his beloved rescue dog.

Douglas Lee Keithly will be laid to rest with full military honors on September 5, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.