Keith Carrington

Keith Kyle Carrington, 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Taylor House Hospice.

Keith was born December 18, 1935, on a farm near Dexter, Iowa to George and Fern (Noltie) Carrington. He was the youngest of the family of seven children, but only by a few minutes, as his twin Kenneth was born minutes before him, and completely taking his mother by surprise at his arrival. When he was still a very young child they moved from the farm to Des Moines. He grew up one block west of the Colonial Bakery that was on Second Street. His sons still remember going to their grandparents’ house and the amazing smell from the freshly baked bread wafting up the hill, and through the open windows. He went to school at North High School, and even had the same woodworking teacher, Mr. Parsons, as his sons, Jerry and Ray.

Keith’s first marriage was to Rosemary Enriquez in 1956. They had three sons together: Alan, Jerry & Raymond. They lived together in East Des Moines and the boys have told many stories of growing up in the age of being sent outside to play all day, all summer long – only coming home for supper or when the streetlights came on.

His second marriage was to Sarah in 1984. They eloped to Reno, NV. She worked at Veterans Auditorium and cleaned for some high profile clients. While full of love, it was a tragically short marriage as she passed away from cancer within the first year of their marriage.

He loved working with his hands and was a master woodworker, retiring from Paxton Lumber Company after almost 50 years of service. He was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing pool. Some of his favorite pastimes were camping, fishing, and watching sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Bears.

Nearly 20 years ago he sold his home and moved in with Peggy Small. Eventually they found love and Keith made a new life for himself. They enjoyed their retirement years together and frequently spent time at the Eastside Senior Center. Her grandchildren only knew Keith as Grandpa, and as a result he extended his own family.

He was survived by his sons Alan (Kristy), Jerry (Penny), and Raymond Carrington; the love of his life, Peggy Small; sister, Norma Peters Lary; grandchildren, Eric, Brandon, Trish, Amanda, Tara, Shari, Nathan, Adam, Alex, Nicole, Ryan, and Christian; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Tristan, Evan, Aydan, Jameson, Blake, Brenton, Grace, Ella, McKinsley, Brooks, Drew, Aztlan, Angel, Azaleah, Aleena, Jensyn, Sawyer, and Cali; and one great-great-grandson, Paxon.

From Peggy’s family there is two more sons: Curtis (Marsha) and Dean; 8 more grandchildren, Heather, Max, Eric, Katie, Mathew, Kassidy, Christina, and John; 10 more great grandchildren, Gabby, Natalia, Anthony, Tanner, Maddy, Jackson, Carter, Maddox, Christopher, and Trinity; and one more great-great grandson, Javier.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, George and Fern Carrington; wife, Sarah Carrington; siblings, Fred, Clarice, Warren, Curtis, and Keith’s twin, Kenneth.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2023, also at the funeral home, and will be followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Eastside Senior Center in Des Moines.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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