Church, school volunteer Songer dies in crash

Keith Edward Songer was a familiar face at Leffingwell School and at Whittier Area Community Church.

[Penny Lee]

I moved out of the Whittier area about 8 1/2 years ago, but I was an Instructional Aide at Leffingwell School. Keith was such a permanent fixture there, He should have been on the payroll!
Whatever was going on, Keith was there. From assemblys, to Family fun night, to Jump rope for heart.
I knew Kim and Kelby very well. Our daughters are the same age and were in the same classes Kindergarten and First grade. And also in Daisys.
This is a true loss for this family and all who knew Keith. He was truly a wonderful man.
I will keep them all in my prayers and in my daily thoughts!
KEITH YOU WILL BE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS!!!!!

[Morgan Sayler]

I worked as a teacher at Leffingwell for 2 years. Keith was as involved with our school, his daughters and wife as anyone could ever have dreamed. He was the voice of every after-school activity and his smile could brighten anyone’s day. His life will forever be a part of my memories. My heart goes out to Kim and the rest of the family.

[Jen Tucker]

I'm a parent of a student at Leffingwell. My heart goes out to Kim, their daughters, and everyone who's lives have been touched by the Songer family. My oldest daughter Caitlin, who moved on from Leffingwell, is especially heartbroken because she looked forward to seeing him on Tuesday nights at church youth group. Keith's presence in our community will be sorely missed.

[Jonna Blaser]

As a teacher at Leffingwell for 5 years, Keith was as much a presence there than any staff member. Keith was an amazing example to all of us on how to live our lives with love, laughter, and passion. There are no words to express how sad I am for his loss and for Kim and the girls. I know it will be a long journey ahead of them and there are so many who will be there to support them. They are in my prayers.

[Christine Sneddon]

I'm a parent of a student that attends Leffingwell. There wasn't a day that went by that Keith wasn't at Leffingwell to do one thing or another. He was always there. My son shares a class with his youngest daughter and the kids loved him. He was bigger than life itself. If his life can inspire the rest of us to be better people, then perhaps this tragically early loss will not have been in vain. We can only aspire to live our lives as fully as Keith did.

[Jean Kudlacek]

I am also a parent at Leffingwell school. Keith Songer was an amazing man who will be sorely missed. He always had a smile for everyone, and would always go out of his way to help without even thinking about it. He was service personified. Besides the events listed in the article, he always was there to help our family. He deejayed a couple of church functions for me without accepting a dime. (And we don't attend the same church.) Songs performed in the Leffingwell talent shows could only be 2 min. long , so Keith helped everyone cut their music so it sounded great. All you had to do was ask. We have a few CD's in our home that are his handiwork. He is one of the most giving and caring individuals I will ever know. Our family's thoughts and prayers are with Kim and the girls. They truly are an amazing family. We will truly miss Keith.

[Cordon Family]

He was the best in every way!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Songer"s
family. Mr. Songer will be missed for ever!!!!

[Jennifer Ontiveros]

I taught at Leffingwell for 3 years, and Keith was definitely a fixture there. He was always so positive and encouraging with the students (and staff!). Keith spent many hours of his time doing things for the school. This is such a loss for the school, community and mostly for the Songer women. You are all in my thoughts.

[Jan Stewart]

Words just don't seem to be enough to describe what an amazing father and person Keith was. Not only to his own children, but to the thousands of other children and people who's lives he touched. I know we were all made richer, just by knowing him. My heart and prayers go out to Kim and the girls.

[david mather]

Keith was a colleague of mine at work and although I only saw him at the annual Sales meeting and spoke with him on occasion, he was always upbeat and very friendly, I'm sure he was a great father and husband, I can only offer you my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time....David Mather Regional Sales Manager in the Southeast region....

[MANDY STEPHENSON]

IVE KNOWN THE SONGER FAMILY SINCE I WENT TO LEFFINGWELL THE FIRST YEAR IT OPENED, KIM WAS MY FOURTH GRADE TEACHER AND SHE WAS MY FAVORITE, WE SOON FOUND OUT WE HAD SOMETHING IM COMMON... IM 27 NOW AND KERRIGAN IS MY DAUGHTERS BEST FRIEND. FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK OUT. THE SONGERS WERE MEANT TO BE IN OUR LIVES AND KEITH HAS TOUCHED AND SHOWN EVERYONE HE HAS MET WHAT GOD AND A LOVING HEART CAN DO IN YOUR LIFE! KAITLYNN MY DAUGHTER LOVED KEITH SO MUCH, KAITLYNN WAS SO SAD THAT HE WONT BE WITH US ANYMORE BUT SHE KNOWS IN HER HEART THAT KEITH IS HOME WITH GOD AND LOOKING DOWN ON HIS FAMILY SMILING CAUSE FROM WHAT I SAW AND KNEW HE WAS AN AMAZING FATHER AND HUSBAND! HE KNOWS THAT HE HAS RAISED THREE BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS AND YOU COULD SEE IN HIS EYES HOW PROUD HE WAS OF THEM. HE ALSO HAD AN AMAZING BEAUTIFUL WIFE.. WE LOVE YOU GUY'S
I REMEMBER KEITH BEING IN THE CLASSROOM AND ALWAYS HELPING AT THE SCHOOL AND SHOPPING IN RALPHS WHERE I WORKED AND OFFERING ME THEIR MOVING BOXES WHEN I WAS AT THE STORE GETTING SOME MYSELF... HE WAS SO KIND AND CARING I COULD GO ON AND ON... GOD MADE A GOOD MAN, AND HE HAS AND STILL WILL CHANGE ALL OUR LIVES FOREVER MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU KIM,KELBY,KENDALL AND KERRIGAN. KAITLYNN AND I LOVE AND ADORE YOU GUYS SO MUCH! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

[Lee and Cecilia Bartlow]

To the reviewers of this message board:
I responded to this message board 4 days ago with what I thought was a heartfelt expression of our feeling.
If it was selected by the review board, it would have been published as #7.
Every day I have gone to this web site but still haven't seen my write up.
I'm concerned as to why.
I don't know if I should try again or pass.
Please advise.
We just wanted to covey our thoughts to Kim and the Girls.
[e-mail] (next door neighbors)

[Christine Sneddon]

Lee and Cecilia, it probably just didn't take or go through. I had to do mine a couple of times before it posted. I'm sure it's just some glitch.

[Tommy Ramirez]

I attend leffingwell school and he was really special there and everybody loved him. he always had jokes to tell and i miss him! I Miss You
Zero The Hero!

[Killian Waite]

What a beautiful service...What a BIG life for such a short time with us. I can remember meeting Keith when Jaclyn was a Pongo in the Wizard of Oz dance performance at Claylee's dance studio 10 years ago...long before meeting Kim again on the Board of Sonora Cheer.
Watching him emcee our cheer banquet just a month ago, it was clear that he loved life and his girls
I guess God just needed him home.

With love, The Killian Waites

[Lee and Cecilia Bartlow]

Thanks Christine Sneddon, I believe your right.
I'll try it again.

I have never been to a service of this magnitude before. I wouldn't have believe that Keith had touched that many people. It opened my eyes to a side of Keith I never knew.

I will surely miss keith, he was always working on and around the yard or building something. Right after he and Kim moved in, keith converted 1/2 the garage to a laundry room for Kim and the Girls. If you have been at his home you would surly see the results of his labors. He also built an office in his garage where he conducted his stay at home business.

Most all of the guys within the area like myself were jealous of Keith's stay-at-home business. It afforded Keith a closeness to his family that none of us others had. I often told my wife that being a teacher gave her the same privileges. Sometimes it is all for the kids.

Before the Songer's were the Harris's living next door. Natalie Harris like my wife were also teachers. Natalie used to tell my wife that she couldn't wait until I was gone on another business trip so she could get some sleep. I like keith would be up bright and early doing the yard so I could devote the remainder of the day to completing projects that I had started, utilizing the table saw, router, sanders. etc.

Kim, we will always be hear for you, don't hesitate to call or come over. This also goes for the girls, should you need to get away for anything. Also should you need assistance for a house problem, toilet, sink, etc, just call.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes to you and the Girls. We know it will be hard for some time but that's what friends are for. My wife is the best as a parent and does enjoy kids more than anyone else I know. She is a Grandmother and enjoying every minute. She donates a lot of her time to the Children's Museum at La Habra and is a long standing member of the Friends of the Museum. If you can't find her hear she is there.

I hope for now that you can get some rest Kim.

Your friends next door.
Lee & Cecilia Bartlow
[e-mail]

[Warren Nass]

As a long time Keith Songer fan since High School, this is great. The support that the family is receiving is unbelievable. A work party was formed to complete the Songer remodel in Keith fashion. We painted the house on the weekend of the 19th and we almost finished it with the help of about 30 people. Joe, a father of a dancer at the Dance Place, headed up the job. He mentioned, "that it was the largest crew he ever worked with." A group of contractors donated their time to enclosed the walkway from the garage to Kim's dining area. Friends, family, children, contractors and supporters joined in. There is still a lot to be done. Tile, hardwood floors, painting, BBQ, appliances, baseboards, crown, plants & patio slab. We will be painting on Sat. 26th at 8:00am. Remember the Keith Songer Memorial Fund is still open at the Bank of the West in La Habra to better the childrens education. Kim and the girls can use your continued support. You can send checks to the Keith Songer Memorial Fund, c/o The Bank of The West, 1330 S. Beach Blvd. Suite A, La Habra, CA 90631. Thank you so much for your continued support of the Songer family. Please contact me if you may be able to help in anyway.
Love,
Warren Nass [e-mail] http://www.keithsonger.com/
http://warren4realestate.com/keithsonger.htm

[Warren Nass]

A benefit concert with Hard Day's Night-Beatles Tribute Band is being held at Leffingwell Elementary School on June 13th 2008 at 6:00pm. Tickets are $10. All proceeds will go to the Keith Songer Memorial Fund and Leffingwell School.