Keith Allen Wharton Sr., 90, of Phoenix passed away peacefully on Oct 14, 2020. Keith was born in Kansas and in 1941 moved with his family to Tucson, AZ, returning to Kansas during summers to help harvest wheat on the family’s farm. After graduating Tucson High School, Keith enlisted in the US Navy and worked as a mechanic on the SS Wasp as it went on a round-the-world assignment during the Korean War. Upon return from US military service, Keith studied mechanical engineering, earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona in 1958. While working as a sales engineer in Los Angeles, he fell for a bank employee named Anna, and in 1960 they were married at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas. Shortly after the birth of their first child, Keith Jr., they relocated to Phoenix in 1963, residing in the Valley ever since. Keith sold and installed plumbing and heating equipment while an active member of the Phoenix Civitan Club, serving in several leadership capacities including President. At age 56 he started his own manufacturer’s representative business until retirement. An avid golfer and sports fan, Keith also enjoyed social dancing and dining out with Anna, all things University of Arizona, and spending time with his grandchildren playing Bingo. Keith’s warm personality and friendly demeanor made everyone feel comfortable in his presence, a rare gift. In his 70s Keith developed Parkinson’s disease that slowly but progressively limited his mobility. Keith’s quiet courage and steadfast determination to keep moving was an inspiration to his family and caregivers. He is survived by Anna Wharton, his wife of 60 years; son and daughter-in-law Keith Jr. and Shelly Wharton; grandchildren Veronica, Naomi, and Genevieve Wharton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by sister Maxine Bourke, and two brothers, Richard Wharton and Ben Wharton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of Arizona, Christian Care Foundation, or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.
Marianne & Ozzie Sattler
We were fortunate to live next door to Keith and Anna from 2002 until the time they moved to Friendship Village. The description in his obituary, “Keith’s warm personality and friendly demeanor made everyone feel comfortable in his presence, a rare gift” was absolutely true! A very special person, indeed.
Marian Dail
On behalf of the Cosine Club, I would like to express our deepest sympathy and love to Mr. Wharton’s wife, Ann, and to his wonderful family. May he rest in peace and may the family take comfort in knowing he is out of suffering and in the hands of our Lord.
Whitney & Murphy
I send my deepest condolences to everyone in the Wharton family. Keith was a kind and Nobel man, and Anna is one of the sweetest ladies I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I’m sorry I couldn’t deliver this message in person.
-Brian P. Nething
John Benson
Good Evening Anna,
I met Keith in the mid 60s when he worked for The Powers Regulator Company (now Siemens Building Technologies) and I worked for The Johnson Service Company (now Johnson Controls). I have always thought that he was one of the “Good Guys” in the HVAC industry. It seems to me that after Powers, Keith sold mostly plumbing things in business with Dick Wager. After Johnson Controls, I sold Staefa Controls which is now also part of Siemens. My wife Olivia and I have attended St Thomas church on 24th Street since 1966. We met you and Keith there several years ago. I was sorry to hear that Kieth struggled with Parkinson’s disease. Your comment about his “quiet courage”, sounds like Keith. Our condolences, John and Olivia Benson