It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Keith Allen Pryce on May 28, 2021.
Born on March 20, 1955 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and lived in the small farming community of Readlyn, Saskatchewan. At the age of 13 he moved with his parents to Kamloops where he remained and eventually raising his own family. At age 15 Keith got his first job at the Shell station on the corner of 12th Street & Tranquille where his love of cars and equipment began. He attended Valleyview Secondary school and it was in these teenage years that Keith began his lifelong passion of converting old fixer upper cars into hot rods. He loved to take something broken or deemed useless and make it beautiful and useful again. A passion that stuck with him for nearly 50 years.
When Keith was 17 he began his auto body career at Luigi’s Body Shop which ironically was located across the street from where Keith’s own shop is now. Later Keith shifted into commercial heavy truck and trailer repair as an employee with James Western Star. At age 35 Keith went into business for himself. First running Versatile Body Shop, then expanding into Overdrive Collision Centre & KV Truck Parts. Then later ProTruck Collision where he specialized in collision repair of RV’s and those large beautiful motor coaches.
He was well know and praised for his painting on those beautiful extremely intricately designed rigs. Keith was a well respected pillar of the community and provided employment opportunities for countless individuals over many decades.
We will all remember Keith as an incredibly hard worker who was defined by his resiliency. We will miss his kindness, fairness and humor. He entertained us with his Griswold Christmas lights and decorations and one-of-a-kind vehicles. A few of his favorites included his hot pink Dodge Demon, signature elaborately painted jet black and Kermit green 1981 Chevrolet El Camino which was a head turner as he drove it proudly around the city.
And there was also his color matching 1997 Freightliner FLD112 “ShowTime” complete with spinners and train horns. Keith liked anything with a big engine, lots of color, flair and bling. His love of drag racing and anything fast on four wheels was reflected in his sponsorships in the past of local racing teams and Hot Nights In The City.
Those who were fortunate enough to work alongside Keith will remember his attention to detail and desire to achieve perfection. From a frame repair to one of his beautiful paint jobs, nothing could leave the shop that had not achieved the highest quality possible. Keith was a lifelong learner, always seeking new ways to enhance the services he provided. His customers and friends both benefited from his generosity.
Keith’s family and many, many friends will miss him dearly. No matter where we were in life, he was the families anchor. He was an amazing storyteller, making us laugh constantly and was always willing to pass on his pearls of wisdom. Keith would always show up for us and we would always be there for him. He succeeded in developing a business and a livelihood that would support all of his family. We are so very proud to call him ours. Keith’s many skills and aptitudes went beyond day to day work. He put just as much effort and energy into his home, his love of flowers and gardening, wood working and caring for his many dogs and cats. He would take in any animal that needed a loving home.
Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Tara, stepchildren Amanda (Nick), Melanie, Tim and four grandchildren. Best friend and partner in work and life Martha, sister Judy and his many adopted cats and dogs. Keith was predeceased by his father Donald, mother Margaret and sadly by his son Allen in 2001.
He was larger than life and his family has never considered life without him. We are all so heartbroken. He will be unbelievably missed , but we are thankful he is now reunited with Allen forever.
We hope to plan a celebration of life for Keith at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BCSPCA, Kamloops Humane Society or the Canadian Diabetes Association in honour of his children.
Offer Condolence for the family of Keith Allen Pryce 1955 – 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Keith Allen Pryce 1955 –..
Décès pour la Ville: Kamloops, Province: Colombie britanique