Keith Aiavolasiti

Keith Dennis Aiavolasiti of Nacogdoches, Texas, after an 18 month brave battle was taken to Heaven on May 26, 2021 at the age of 68 at his home surrounded by his family.

Keith was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 26, 1953 to parents Ernest Aiavolasiti and Yvonne Ann Massicot Aiavolasiti. Keith was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he attended St. Agnes Catholic School and Catholic High School before moving to Dallas, Texas. Keith graduated from Bryan Adams High School then went to Nacogdoches Texas to attend Stephen F. Austin State University where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees. While at SFA, he belonged to Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity (ATO). After graduation, Keith made Nacogdoches his home and taught for 35 years in the Nacogdoches Independent School District where he was fondly known as “Mr. A” by both faculty and students.

Keith retired from NISD in 2013 with a huge celebration at The Old University Building on June 19, 2013. However, that didn’t last very long as NISD wanted him back to help seniors with choices and plans after graduation. Keith thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and became friends with many of them after graduation and to this day.

Keith's hobbies included singing, dancing, and acting which he began with his first role in Guys and Dolls at Catholic High School. He then played the role of Tommy Djilas in The Music Man at Bryan Adams High School. In 1990 he performed in his first Lamp-Lite Theatre production as Adam in Dirty Works at the Crossroads.  He went on to perform in over 50 productions for Lamp-Lite Theatre with his most enjoyable roles being Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls and Gene Garrison in I Never Sang for My Father.  His final role was Rudolpho in the musical Matilda in 2019. Keith was also a member of the After Five performance group which formed at and with singers from Lamp-Lite Theatre.

After retirement, Keith became a regular at Planet Fitness where he worked out most days, training for 5K runs in which he won many medals in his class. He devoted much of his time to strength and endurance training, as well as to fitness and healthy eating.

Keith was a caring, trusting, and generous person. He was a good listener and made friends everywhere he went. He took the time to get to know people and learn about their lives, hopes, and dreams. .Keith saw the good in everyone and was genuinely concerned about their comfort and well-being.  He will be missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Keith was preceded in death by his wife Jean Louise “Jenny” Powers Aiavolasiti, father Ernest Aiavolasiti, and both maternal and paternal grandparents. He is survived by his mother Yvonne Massicot Aiavolasiti of Nacogdoches, his “children” Mimzie and Merlin, sister Leslie Aiavolasiti Rodgers (John), niece Shannon Alyssa Rodgers, nephew Jason Keith Rodgers (Laurel), great nieces Ivy and Kinzleigh and nephews Trenton and Wyatt of Virginia

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday morning July 24, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nacogdoches commencing with the Rosary at 10:00 am, Funeral Mass at 10:30 am, followed by Oak Grove Cemetery for burial of his ashes. We will then return to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Margil Center for a Reception. Later in the afternoon there will be a gathering at Keith’s home 703 Inwood Lane. Family, friends, students, teachers, and anyone who knew Keith are cordially invited to celebrate a life well-lived and well-loved.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nacogdoches High School Alumni, SFA Alumni, the American Cancer Society, or M. D. Anderson in memory of Keith.

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