John D. Key

1/6/1920- 2/14/2012

John D. Key, 92, passed away peacefully at Covenant Hospice in Pensacola on February 14, 2012. He was born at Fort Oglethorpe, GA to Col. John David Key and Wilma Hicks Key.

A World War II Army Veteran, he saw active duty in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Awards included nine bronze stars for campaigns in Tunisia, Normandy, Northern France, Egypt and Libya. After the war he attended the University of Alabama and was a draftsman for the Federal Housing Authority. After moving to Memphis, TN, he designed, built and was administrator of Neff-Key Nursing Home. In Pensacola, FL, before retirement, he was the architect's liaison during the building of the new Washington HS.

He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Dorothy June Key of Pensacola.

He is also survived by his first wife Mary Neff Key of Knoxville, the mother of his

four children;

Mary Margaret Carter (Lex) of Knoxville, TN,

Alan Reeves Key (Mary) and

John Neff Key, both of Olive Branch, MS,

William Neely Key (Joanie) of Navarre, FL,

his stepson Gil Stewart (Jeanne) of Andersonville, TN,

his ten grandchildren and

eleven great-grand children.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at Carter Hills Cemetery in Fayetteville, TN on February 25, at 400 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Foundation, PO Box 440225 / Nashville, TN 37244

Pensacola Memorial Gardens Obituary 2/17/2012∼John David Key Jr. was born in Jan 6, 1920 at Fort Oglethorpe, Catoosa co., Georgia, the son of Col. John David Key and Wilma Hicks. He died at Covenant Hospice in Pensacola on February 14, 2012 at age 92. John was survived by his wife of 28 years, Dorothy June Key of Pensacola and also by his first wife Mary Neff Key of Knoxville, TN

CHILDREN OF JOHN & MARY (NEFF) KEY:

* Mary Margaret Carter (Lex) of Knoxville, TN,

* Alan Reeves Key (Mary) of Olive Branch, MS

* John Neff Key of Olive Branch, MS

* William Neely Key (Joanie) of Navarre, FL

JOHN'S STEPSON, Gil Stewart of Andersonville, TN, husband of Jeanne

JOHN'S SIBLINGS:

* Margaret Viola KEY

* Mary Francis KEY 1914-1924; buried in Brown Church Cemetery.

* Lt. Col WIlliam David "Bill" KEY born Feb. 21, 1917 in Jackson Co., TN, died Feb. 17, 2010 in Marco, Collier Co., FL, age 93; buried in Arlington Nat'l Cemetery. A US Army Air Corps veteran--he served for years with distinction; married in 1946, Arlene Marie Shoemaker.

* Martha KEY

JOHN'S PARENTS: Col. John David Key Sr. born Aug. 26, 1886 in TN, died Feb 1974 of Panama City, FL, age 87; a WWI Army veteran, served at the front line of battle in France. Wilma (HICKS) KEY born 1892, died 1925, age 33. John Jr's stepmother, Katherine (nee TAYLOR) KEY born 1898, died 1965. All 3 were buried in Brown Church Cemetery, Madison Co., TN.

John was a WWII Army Veteran. He enlisted June 20, 1942 and served in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Awards included nine bronze stars for campaigns in Tunisia, Normandy, Northern France, Egypt and Libya. After the war he attended the University of Alabama and was a draftsman for the Federal Housing Authority. After moving to Memphis, TN, he designed, built and was administrator of Neff-Key Nursing Home. In Pensacola, FL, before retirement, he was the architect's liaison during the building of the new Washington HS.

John's funeral was graveside February 25, 2012, with military honors at Carter Hills Cemetery in Fayetteville, TN.

Sources: John D. KEY'S obituary, Pensacola News Journal, February 19, 2012; Worldconnect /Rootsweb; Census Records; etc.