Roy Keith Sparlin, 85, of Roseburg, Oregon, passed away Mar. 29, 2025, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Keith was born in Holtville, California, to Roy Bonesteel and Lois Manchester Bonesteel. After graduating from Holtville Union High School in 1957, he began his military career of 16 years. He began in the US Air Force, stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He later joined the US Army, being promoted to the rank of Major.

When Keith first departed from the military, he attended Los Angeles County General Hospital School of Nursing. Keith subsequently moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where he attended the Mayo Clinic School of Anesthesia for Nurses, earning his CRNA degree in 1966. He later earned a bachelor's degree from Stephens College.

Following his graduation, Keith and his wife, Charlene (a former classmate at LA County) moved to Roseburg, where he started working at Mercy Hospital. Keith also worked at Douglas Community Hospital, then finished his career at the Roseburg VA Medical Center.

Keith spent his time with his family and raising animals. His lifelong love of farming and ranching started when he was in high school, being an active member of the Holtville FFA chapter, and included raising cattle, llamas, and horses as well as growing a vegetable garden every summer. He also loved building things for the ranch in his workshop, all of which he did until the onset of his illness.

Keith dedicated many years to advocacy for special needs children and adults. He had been involved with UHI (formerly Umpqua Homes for the Handicapped) and was its first chairperson.

Beginning as a young child, Keith was a member of the United Methodist Church, first attending in Holtville with his mother, who was a Sunday School teacher for many years, and later bringing his family to the church in Roseburg.

Keith was preceded in death by his mother, Lois Manchester Sparlin, his stepfather, Victor Sparlin, and his older brother, Phillip Sparlin. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Charlene Sparlin (née Farrow), his children, Julie and Thomas, all of Roseburg; younger brothers Victor Sparlin, Jr. and Glen Sparlin, along with five nieces and three nephews.

Keith's memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Apr. 11, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Roseburg, with interment to follow at Cleveland Cemetery in Melrose.