Keith Eric Sales, beloved husband of Carol Anne Serino Sales, father of Keith Eric Sales II, Uncle-like-a-father to Dawn Serino Goddard and her husband, Ethan, and proud Grunkie to their children, Hudson and Ilene, sadly left us on December 8, 2024. Keith is also survived by brothers George and Emil, nephews Christopher and Andrew, great niece Emily, and many dear cousins in the United States and around the world.

Keith graduated from St. Petersburg High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. He and Carol were high school sweethearts who celebrated their 60 ^th wedding anniversary in August. Keith was a member of the 231st Reserve Unit, stationed in St. Petersburg, when they were called up for active duty and sent to Vietnam. Keith was a Medium Boat Captain and served a year traveling up and down the Mekong Delta delivering supplies to troops. Safely back home, he continued working at Morton Plant Hospital (now Baycare) in the IT Department for more than 46 years.

Keith was always involved in helping young people. He and Carol served as advisors for the EYC Group at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg and have enjoyed contact with those now-adult kids till this day. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 294 at Lakewood United Methodist Church and was proud of his 8+ Eagle Scouts including his son, Keith. As part of the Southside Youth Soccer League, he hauled the concession trailer to and from the field each Saturday morning, bought all the supplies, and with others, he made and served hot dogs and snacks, helping to earn needed funds for the League.

Everyone remembers Keith as a gentle man with a twinkle in his eye. He was curious, an amateur historian, loved to learn and was very proud of his Caribbean heritage. Traveling was a natural part of his being and he was always planning the next trip, even if it was just a "little bite" – his term for a long weekend getaway. For years, he hiked in the Smoky Mountains with dear friends and family. Until his illness slowed him down, he loved to take bike journeys from home to the Pier, local restaurants, Ft. DeSoto, etc. He made friends wherever he went – becoming a regular at several of his and Carol's favorite lunch date spots. Keith touched so many lives and he will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.

In memory of Keith, please keep your friends and family close and commit small acts of kindness as often as you can. Funeral and Burial will be held  at 1:30 Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Bay Pines National Cemetery.