Air Force Vet George Junior Key, 83, Dies

George Junior Key, 83, of Cross Plains, GA., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Jan. 6. He was surrounded by his loving family when he passed. He was born to the late George Zachery Key and the late Fay Latimer Key on Sept. 24, 1930. He was the oldest of three children. He was also preceded in death by his younger brother, Milton Zachery Key.

Mr. Key is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Edna Taylor Key. He is also survived by his sister, Sandra Key Turner and her husband Albert Turner. Mr. Key has two daughters: Alicia Key Wester and Theresa Key Hubbard, with their husbands, Tommy Wester and Alan Hubbard. His only son is Joey Key with his wife, Rita Key. He has three granddaughters: Casey Beaty and her husband Kevin Beaty; Kristen Hubbard Huddleston and her husband Charlie Huddleston; and Julia Key.

Mr. Key was baptized on July 26, 1942. He graduated from Whitesburg School in 1949 and then attended Berry College for one quarter. He worked for R.E.A. installing electric lines. He drove the school bus and surveyed land. He farmed and did saw-milling. He could tell you exactly where a tree was going to fall that he was cutting down!

In 1951 he joined the Air Force for four years and went to basic training in Texas. He had B-47 Specialist Training and Jet Engine School. He was stationed in San Anton, Texas, and Amarillo, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio, and even Upper Hayford, England for 3-4 months during the Korean Conflict. While on Christmas leave in 1951, he married Miss Edna Julia Taylor on Christmas Day!
In 1954, he came back to Carrollton and worked for Southwire. In 1955, he joined Eastern Airlines. In 1956, he was transferred to Miami, Florida where he was an apprentice to become a licensed aircraft mechanic. Alicia was born to them in Miami, in 1957.

The Keys moved to College Park in 1960. Theresa arrived in 1961 and Joey arrived in 1962. They moved to Carrollton in 1971 and built their home next door to his parent’s home. They built 5 chicken houses. Mr. Key continued to work for Eastern Airlines for 34 years. Which included being chief mechanic for Air Force One during President Nixon’s administration.

Mr. Key was very active in his church. He was ordained as Deacon in 1958 and as Elder in 1970. Projects that they were responsible for included new carpet, the church steeple, new fellowship tables, and the stained glass baptistery window just to name a few. He retired from active Eldership on November 21, 2004 after 47 years of being a dedicated shepherd and steward at Cross Plains Christian Church. As long as he was physically able, he continued to attend and greet every one with a great big smile and a warm handshake.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Gordon and his office for their dedication and care of this family. Tanner Hospice has been very gracious with their time and resources. We as a family are so grateful to the agency, “Better off at Home” because he was so much better off at home.
Visitation was Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel. The body was placed in state at the church.

Funeral services will be conducted today at 3 p.m. from Cross Plains Christian Church with Min. J. C. Cook, Min. Don Boswell, Min. Dick Hollis, and Min. Joel Eynon officiating. Music will be provided by Solid Foundation. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Military Honors will be performed by American Legion Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Joel Hubbard, Jeff Pate, Phil Bishop, T. J. Treadwell, John Sticher, and Jason Sticher. Honorary pallbearers will be Wendell Sticher, C.H. Gilley, Larry Bishop, and Frank Carroll. Flowers are welcome, but for those who desire, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel of Carrollton has charge of the arrangements. 

View the online memorial here.