Club affiliations include Military. Keith Badham passed away at the age of 83 at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born in Payson, UT to Paul and Pauline (Johnson) Badham, and was a graduate of Payson High School. After his service in the Army Air Corps, Keith attended the University of Utah, earning a degree in Science and Biology.
A life long educator, Keith began his teaching career at Manila High School in Utah. He later moved to Rialto, CA, where he continued to teach, but he finally settled in Salinas in 1956. During his 35 year career with the Salinas Union High School District, Keith taught at El Sausal Jr. High School, Washington Jr. High School, Salinas High School and North Salinas High School. He left teaching for a few years to become the director of the Youth Science Center of Monterey County where he continued to share his knowledge of science and the environment. While at the Science Center he planned and executed educational trips for students and adults to several national parks, including the Mojave Desert, the Grand Canyon and Lassen National Park. He returned to teaching and finished his career in the ROP program at Salinas High School. In his spare time he used his creative abilities to invent and patent several gardening tools and games and to build furniture for his friends and family. He enjoyed several different artistic genres including water color, stained glass and tile making.
Keith was active in his community as a volunteer. He served as a member of the Parks Foundation of Monterey County and the Steinbeck Center. He was the first male volunteer with the Valley Guild and volunteered as the wine steward at the Steinbeck House, where he also put his gardening skills to work. He was very proud that he was able to help develop the 6th grade Out Door Education program.
Keith is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dolores (Fox), his daughter Martha Oral (Onur) of Morgan Hill,and his grandchildren Patrick Dunn, Deniz Oral and. He is also survived by his sister Norma Swenson (Ron) and brother Del Badham (Ruth) both of St. George, UT, Aunt Renae Stewart of St. George, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 5:30 P.M. at the National Steinbeck Center. In lieu of flowers, at Keith’s request, donations may be made to the Parks Foundation of Monterey County or The National Steinbeck Center. Online condolences may be posted at www.struveandlaporte.com.
