Keith Neal

Keith Neal passed unexpectedly of sepsis at St. Joseph Hospital in the arms of his beloved wife Jan. Keith was diagnosed two years ago with stage four liver cancer.  He was given weeks to months to live with no treatment options so Jan joined the fight with him. With a regime of cannabis oil — some made in a crockpot — CBD tinctures, a formula of herbs (Jan is a local herbalist) added to his daily smoothies and a mushroom protocol Keith was in remission when he passed. He was a fighter.

Keith was born in Ohio and moved to California at the age of 4. Keith attended schools in San Lorenzo Valley where there remain many friends. In his senior year Keith was footballs MVP. He graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in forestry and he was very quick to brag that his granddaughter Ashley also graduated from HSU. 

He loved football (go 49ers!), Giants baseball, LOUD ‘60s music, gardening, camping, fishing, traveling, and was an avid reader. Keith was an advocate for the homeless and very interested in politics.

Keith spent the majority of his career in or around trees and landscaping, he could mow a lawn to look like a golf course. He could drop a tree on a quarter.  During illness or hard times of neighbors he kept their yards beautiful also. He said it was his way of giving back.

Most of all Keith loved his family: son Jack (Zoe), daughter Heather, grandchildren Jacob, Ashley and Jack, great grandchildren Addonis, Leia, and Stella, and they loved him. He adored his sister Patricia Neal Tucker (Patty, Patty cake).

Jan wants to thank, Dr. E. Richa, HPRC of Arcata, Dragonfly Wellness of Fort Bragg, Julie of Chumayo Spa, Dr. Michael Fratkin, Paula and the team at Resolution Care and Rite Aid Mckinleyville for their continued excellent care, kindness, and support through Keith’s journey. Without each of you — who in your capacity went above and beyond —and God I could not have managed Keith’s journey. He had two unexpected Christmases with family, got to go to Yosemite (his favorite place in the world) twice, he saw his great granddaughter born and he just recently attended a Giants game. Each of you gave us these opportunities.

Keith did not want a service, he wanted a party. In the spring there will be a party in his memory and we will celebrate the incredible husband, father, grandpa, friend, brother, person he was.

If you would like to make donation on his behalf, he was a huge supporter of animal safety, homelessness and had great respect for Resolution Care of Eureka. A fund for Jan has been set up so she can continue her research, teaching, consulting, speaking to the medicinal value of medicinal cannabis and herbs in her fight against cancer and pain: donations can be sent to P.O Box 985 Blue Lake, CA 95525. Jan has done years of volunteer cancer care and is a survivor. It is her wish that every person have choices, be well informed and not pass alone.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Keith’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.