Keith Damian Bashant

Mr. Keith Damian Bashant, 58, passed away Friday, July 15, 2011 at his residence in Aiken. A private funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church and interment will take place at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, PO Box 736, Aiken, SC 29802 or Christ Central Ministries, New Ellenton After School Program, 412 Main Street New Ellenton, SC 29809. GEORGE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER , Aiken is assisting the family.

Born in Tupper Lake, NY, Keith was the son of the late Floyd Willard Bashant and Mrs. Marjorie Catherine LaBelle of Tupper Lake, NY. Keith served over twenty-four years in the US Air Force, retiring as a highly decorated, Lt. Col. In 2001.

Keith was devoted to his family and loved the outdoors. He was an avid tennis player and also enjoyed kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and camping. He was a member of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church and volunteered as a mentor at the Christ Central After School Program for Children at Risk, New Ellenton and at Greendale Elementary School.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife, Frances Akie Honda Bashant, Aiken; two step sons, Mark T. Shiraishi and Craig A. Shiraishi, both of Honolulu, HI; a step daughter, Jill M. Peterson, Honolulu, HI; a brother, Floyd T. Bashant, Grand Junction, CO and five grandchildren.