It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Keith Tri at the age of 40. Keith will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 16 years, Misty; children: Addy and Blake; mother: Jean (Paul); brother: Luke.

Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 3, 2024 in Biggers Funeral Chapel.

Memorials:  The family respectfully request, donations may be made to K9's for Warriors (https://donate.k9sforwarriors.org)

Keith Tri, a beloved husband, father, brother, and son, found immense joy and connection through his many hobbies. He shared memorable moments playing Fortnite with his brother Luke and close friends, wiping squads and getting victory royales. Keith's passion for storytelling and adventure flourished in his love for Dungeons and Dragons, where he not only participated but almost always chose to be Dungeon Master. He was always very creative when it came to his universes and liked creating his own terrain and painting monsters to add to the experience. A true artist at heart, Keith poured his soul into painting miniatures, transforming them into works of art that brought characters and worlds to life. Any notebook he owned would instantly turn into a canvas full of doodles and drawings, his imagination taking the helm.

At home, Keith cherished moments with his family, engaging in lively rounds of Munchkin and Cards Against Humanity that filled their gatherings with laughter and joy. His strategic mind thrived in games like Magic: The Gathering, where he enjoyed spirited competition and strategic depth. Keith escaped reality by reading DC comics and gaining inspiration from the feats of heroes like Batman, and villains such as Joker. He also admired the giant Godzilla and his awe-inspiring power.

Petty Officer Keith Tri was a dedicated and accomplished aviation maintenance professional and Sailor with a distinguished career spanning well over a decade in the United States Navy. Keith Tri entered the Navy Delayed Entry Program (DEP) program August of 2006 out of Minneapolis, MN MEPS and enlisted April 2007 for the Damage Control Program. He graduated boot camp June 2007 and then was stationed aboard the FFG-40 USS Halyburton as a Damage Controlmen (DC) from September 2007 to March of 2011. During his time aboard he was a qualified Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) member, lead Fireman, Team Leader, and On-Scene Leader in his repair Division. During this tour he was promoted to Petty Officer Third Class, selected as Blue Jacket of the Year, awarded a Letter of Commendation and 2 Navy Achievement Medals (1st and 2nd Award).

In March of 2011 he detached from the USS Halyburton and checked into Aviation Electronic Technician (AT) "A" School. He graduated in September 2011 and converted to AT3 where he was station at Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West Detachment New Orleans. During his time aboard he was qualified as a Power Plants / Avionics technician, Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI), Work Center Supervisor, and a Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) until April 2016. During this tour he was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class, selected as Sailor of the Quarter 3 times, awarded a Letter of Appreciation, 3 Letter of Commendations, and 2 Navy Achievement Medals (3rd and 4th Award).

In May 2016 he checked into Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West Detachment Fort Worth, and he continued to excel in his role, demonstrating expertise and leadership in aviation maintenance. During his time aboard he was a Production Control work center Leading Petty Officer (LPO), Night Shift Supervisor, Collateral Duty Inspector, and Quality Assurance Representative until August 2020. During this tour he was promoted to Petty Officer First Class, qualified as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS), and awarded a Navy Achievement Medal (5th Award).

He was assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Five Nine VR-59 in September 2020. He served as the Leading Petty Officer for the avionics division, overseeing and ensuring the operational readiness of essential avionics systems. His commitment to excellence is evident in his qualifications as an Avionics Collateral Duty Inspector and subsequently as a Power plants Collateral Duty Inspector, which paved the way for his appointment as a full systems Quality Assurance Representative. As the Leading Petty Officer for Quality Assurance, he implemented rigorous inspection protocols and quality control measures. His leadership ensured that all maintenance procedures adhered to stringent standards, thereby minimizing operational risks and maximizing aircraft readiness. By diligently monitoring and evaluating four programs, he proactively identified potential issues and implemented corrective actions swiftly. His proactive stance contributed significantly to the overall effectiveness and reliability of maintenance activities under his supervision.

Recognized for his exceptional skills and leadership, he transitioned to Maintenance Control, achieving Safe for Flight qualification in a remarkably short period of five months. This achievement enabled him to take on the role of Detachment Leading Petty Officer and maintenance Safe for Flight for the European Command (EUCOM) and Pacific Command (PACOM) Areas of Responsibility (AOR). In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in ensuring aircraft readiness and mission success in forward-deployed logistics operations. During this tour he was Selection Board Eligible for Chief Petty Officer and awarded 2 Navy Achievement Medals (6th and 7th Award).

Personal and Unit Awards:

7 Navy Achievement Medals

5 Good Conduct Medals

Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Meritorious Unit Commendation

Navy Battle "E" Ribbon

Keith