January 26, 2022, 62, Dudley –

Keith made his last and largely irreverent gesture on January 26, 2022, signing off on a life he lived on his terms with no regrets all while not taking shit from anyone. Being the eldest was a dubious task, but he was up for the challenge. He led and tortured his siblings through a childhood of obnoxious pranks on his brothers. A self-taught computer expert from high school, he could make a computer do anything he wanted. He and his wife of 38 years, Phyllis, operated the Goldsboro Flea Market for many years so he could buy and play with all the toys he wanted from jet skis, racing, and computers. He also owned Wizard Racing Products as racing was his favorite hobby. He was also a member of the team “Country Boys” from the show, Full Metal Challenge. Keith and the two other members of his team built a tank in North Carolina and took it to England for a competition. Keith was a former member of the Dudley Volunteer Fire Department and was medically retired from the Wayne County Sheriff’s office as a Detective Sergeant after suffering an injury during an arrest. 

Everybody has a “Keith Hartzog” story, and we’d love to hear them all. Keith faced his death and his mortality, as he did with his life, face on, often telling us that when he dropped dead to dig a hole in the back yard and just roll him in. Much to his disappointment, he will be properly interred with his predeceased wife at Wayne Memorial Park surrounded by immediate family at a later date.

Keith is survived by his parents, Rex and Lelia Marie Hartzog; daughters, Jessica Goldman and Kelly Parks; Papa Bear to his grandchildren Cameron Parks, Jillian, and Jenny Goldman; and brothers, Dennis and AJ Hartzog. 

In lieu of flowers, Keith would prefer that you make a donation to the Dudley Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 307, Dudley, NC 28333.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Hartzog family and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com.