Keith Ronald Hoskinson, age 87, of Grand Junction, passed away peacefully on Oct. 4, 2026, surrounded by loving family.
Keith was born May 2, 1939, the last of seven children born to Archie and Vera (Blanchan) Hoskinson. Keith attended Grand Junction Schools and helped on the family farm. After graduation, Keith married Janet Adamson and three children were born to this union, Kriss, Kreg, and Kary “Fuzz”.
Keith later married Jane Hobart and finally met and married Paula Smith on Oct. 7, 1993. Keith and Paula shared an amazing 33 years and a lifetime of adventures.
After high school, Keith tried his hand at several occupations and finally began digging graves by hand in 1963. Tree work began around that time, and he became the face of “Hoskinson Tree & Backhoe Service”. His long-running career had him digging the graves in 28 cemeteries and burying more than 6,547 people. Keith’s tree cutting career began with a logging trip to Montana with Wayne Emmett. The trip was a “goat rope” but made for a great story.
Keith and Paula’s love of horses and the farm led them to have several teams of Belgian draft horses, quarter horses, and a small herd of miniature donkeys in addition to butcher steers they raised several years. Keith was always proud of his family farm and worked hard to keep it looking up to “Hoskinson standards”, repairing buildings and fences as late as this year.
Keith is survived by his wife Paula; son, “Fuzz” Kary (Janis); grandchildren Angela (Matt) Otis, Joby Hoskinson, Chance (Dulsa) Hoskinson, Kyle (Mandy) Hoskinson, and Kylie Hoskinson; sister Virginia Rohden; 11 great-grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.
Keith is preceded in death by his sons Kriss and Kreg; parents Archie and Vera; and siblings Emory, Zola, Dean, Leon, and Wayne.
He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be Oct. 7 at the First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction. Interment will be at Junction Township Cemetery, Grand Junction. Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Jefferson.
