Keith Fairbairn

September 4, 1961 - January 24, 2021

KEITH GORDON FAIRBAIRN – We lost our beautiful and intelligent husband, father, brother, and friend Keith too early, at the age of 59, on January 24, 2021 in Draper, Utah. He was born September 4, 1961 in Peterborough, Ontario, the son of Roger and Patricia Fairbairn and the oldest brother of six children, Susan, Jeffrey, Matthew, James, and Randolph. Keith dedicated much of his life to serving others. As a 19 year old he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pusan, South Korea and loved the people and culture there. He attended Brigham Young University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts (1986) with a Major in Political Science and Minors in Korean and Philosophy. He later attended Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto (York University, 1986-1989), receiving his Juris Doctorate with a focus in Corporate Law. Keith’s passion for education later took his studies to the University of Toronto where he received an MBA (2001), and to Cornell University (2013) where he focused on Labor and Employment Law courses. He spent his career as a trial attorney, employment lawyer, and human resource advisor. His career took him to various law firms including Cassels, Brock & Blackwell, Gowling, Lafleur & Henderson, and Conduit Law and eventually to his own private practice focusing on employment law. He was a professor and educator at University of Toronto, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Law Society of Upper Canada and Osgoode Hall Law School. Keith met Sally Tollestrup while studying at BYU. They married and moved to Keith’s hometown, Toronto. Together and apart, they parented 3 wonderful children, Joshua, Zachary, and Zoe. Keith adored his children and took pride in the loving and close relationships they built. He fondly remembered the 10 years he spent as a youth basketball coach, and family trips to Pennsylvania and driving down the West Coast. As a beloved uncle, Keith treasured the time he spent with his nieces and nephews. They will always remember their special lunch outings, trips to BYU basketball games, and honest heart-to-heart check-ins. Later in life, Keith found his home in Utah where he continued working for Conduit Law and his private practice. His life was changed in 2013 when he met his forever love, Rebecka Kempton. Together, they settled in a beautiful home in the hills of Draper. Keith explored his insatiable curiosity for life and learning through books, education, philosophy, and debate. A compassionate listener, gifted communicator, and valued advisor, Keith found joy in learning the stories of others and fostered each of his relationships with kindness and respect. He loved his career, reading, cooking, staying active, and pondering life’s biggest questions. His fondness for travel took him around the world, including on a favorite family trip to his homeland of Scotland. He was thorough and thoughtful in his actions and words with a passion for exploring provoking subjects and a wide range of perspectives. An avid writer, he knew a line, poem, essay, or book passage for every topic imaginable. He was the most intelligent man that we knew. Above all, Keith valued his relationships. He is survived by his wife, Rebecka; children, Joshua and Zoe; stepchildren, Rachael and Connor; mother, Patricia; sister, Susan; and brothers, Jeffrey, Matthew, and Randolph. He is preceded in death by son, Zachary; father, Roger; and brother, James. To know Keith is to be inspired, to be and do better, to educate yourself and challenge your opinions. To know Keith was to know you were loved, cared for, and thought of. To know Keith is to love Keith. Please join us in remembrance and celebration of Keith’s life on Saturday, January 30th, at 1:00 pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 14919 South Eagle Crest Drive, Draper, Utah, where a public viewing will be held prior to services from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Interment to follow at 3:00 pm at the Highland City Cemetery, 6300 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah. Services will be live-streamed, due to Covid restrictions. CLICK HERE TO VIEW SERVICES Or iPhone one-tap : US: +16699006833,,93956711821# or +12532158782,,93956711821# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 939 5671 1821 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/adFn7BWwU6 ***Please deliver all floral arrangements to the church building on Saturday.