Keith Theodore Ranta

Keith Theodore Ranta was born in Astoria, OR on March 4, 1948, to Ted and Alice Lein Ranta. He passed away in Astoria on September 13, 2025, at age 77. Keith started school at Fern Hill grade school and graduated from Astoria High. He worked at AMCO shipyard and Bumble Bee Shipyard, later joining the Bumble Bee pile buck and carpenter crew. Keith was a halibut fisherman in Alaska and then part of the maintenance crew at the Port of Astoria before starting his own business, Keith T. Ranta Construction.

He enjoyed the outdoor life with a passion for hunting - whether ducks, deer or elk. He trained several labrador retrievers for duck hunting. Fishing was a favorite pastime as well as clam digging and crawfishing. He spent many years remodeling his homes in Seaside and then Fern Hill. As a proud Grandfather and Great Grandfather, he built beautiful toy boxes for each of the kids. Keith is survived by Sheila McCoy Ranta, his wife of 58 years, son Todd Ranta (Valerie) and three sisters Mary Alice Ranta (Ken Snyder), Marilyn Ranta and Ann Jordan (Dave) and sister in-law Shelby Mogenson (Gary). He is also survived by 4 grandchildren: April Ranta, Allison Wright (John), Tyler Ranta (Chelsea), Hailey Ranta-Cruz (David) and 3 great-grandchildren: Axel, Trygve and Roman. Keith was predeceased by his parents and son, Doug Ranta.

A memorial for Keith will be held in the Annex at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds on September 28, 2025, from 2 to 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Lower Columbia Hospice (2160 Exchange St., Astoria) in Keith’s memory are appreciated.