1938
James
2014
James Key
January 20, 1938 — August 23, 2014
"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." James 1:1
James Bryson Key died Saturday, August 23, 2014, and went home to be with the Lord. He courageously battled Alzheimer's disease, holding tight to God's promise to work all things together for good, even in the midst of severe decline. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at the Eldora United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Eldora City Cemetery Memorial Addition with military honors conducted by the Eldora American Legion Walter-Sayer Post #182 and V.F.W. –Roll Harless #3974.
Jim was born January 20, 1938, in Gallatin, Tennessee, to Edgar Wayne Key and Corinne Key (Creasy) who have since passed. Jim's siblings, who reside in Illinois, include: Pat Bobkoski, Judy Bollman, and Lori Voorhees – His mother Corinne would later marry Bill Wyatt.
As a young boy, Jim and his family moved from Tennessee to Illinois where he would meet his future wife, Betty Lou Harper, while playing in the Rich Township High School band, in Park Forest. (Jim played the trombone.) Jim and Betty were married on August 30, 1958. (Jim passed away just one week short of their 56th wedding anniversary.) They had 3 children, now grown and married: Daniel (Kathrin), Deborah (Rob), and Robert (Gail). They also have 12 grandchildren: Justin, Wesley, Tyler (Emily), Wade, Brian, Brett, Jayden, Kaleysha, Brenna, Aubrey (David), Anna and Simeon. Our dad's love and commitment to his family has had a profound impact. He shared his love of reading, sports, and music, including the trombone and guitar. He enjoyed supporting the many interests and activities of his children and grandchildren. He coached Little League baseball in Indianola, IA, where one year his team played for the State championship.
Our Dad's legacy has been one of choosing to follow and serve God wherever He leads. As he prepared to attend college, he found himself facing a pivotal crossroads. One path offered immediate security, and the other path (where he felt called) offered no such security. It would require taking on numerous odd jobs to make ends meet, and trusting that the Lord was indeed at work in his life. Dad chose his calling – ministry – and would go on to dynamically impact his family, friends, and so many others throughout the world.
Jim attended North Park College, Chicago, IL, earning an Associate in Arts Degree (1958). He then attended Fort Wayne Bible College, Fort Wayne, IN, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree (1961), followed by Northern Baptist Seminary, Lombard, IL, earning a Masters of Divinity (1965). He would also attend Simpson College, earning a second B.A. Degree (1977).
Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964, and served as a Chaplain. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was called to serve in Vietnam. He would spend one year in Vietnam from July 29, 1969 to July 28, 1970, serving in an Engineering Brigade, where he witnessed the best and worst in humanity. Upon his return he was stationed at White Sands Missile Range, in New Mexico. After one year he chose to leave fulltime military service, in part due to his commitment to his family. He would ultimately serve in the Army – Active Duty for 3 years, and in the Army Reserve for 24 years. He would reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Jim's extensive ministry experience includes: Chaplain, Iowa Veteran's Home, Marshalltown (1999-2003); Chaplain, State Training School, Eldora, and the Iowa Juvenile Home, Toledo (1978-1999); Pastor, First Baptist Church, Indianola (1971-1978); Pastor, First Baptist Church, Centerville, IN (1966-1968); Director of Christian Education, First Baptist Church, Valparaiso, IN (1964-1966), where he was ordained on January 23, 1966 (Denomination: American Baptist).
Jim had numerous other involvements, including: serving brief stints as part-time Pastor at United Methodist Church in Eldora, and the First Baptist Church in Union. He served 12 years as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Sioux Falls, in South Dakota. Jim volunteered in ministry at the Eldora Nursing Home, Hardin County Jail, the State Training School (after retirement), and with the Gideons. Jim was a member of the Eldora Kiwanis Club and Ministerial Association.
While we remember and celebrate the life of our dad, he would want, more than anything, to point you towards Jesus. Dad sought to whole-heartedly love God, and to love others. And though he would say in his humanity he struggled at both, his hope rested in what Jesus had already done, not in his own personal achievements. He would want you to know that whatever else may be, the answer rests in our Lord and Savior Jesus. About a year after his Alzheimer's diagnosis, when his physical and mental decline was becoming more evident, we would hang on every word spoken in clarity. Even in illness, dad was still pointing us to Jesus, as one day he said, "Be encouraged." "God is on the throne and there is no higher." "Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12) May you find your hope in Jesus.
We Love You Dad!
James Bryson Key died Saturday, August 23, 2014, and went home to be with the Lord. He courageously battled Alzheimer's disease, holding tight to God's promise to work all things together for good, even in the midst of severe decline. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at the Eldora United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Eldora City Cemetery Memorial Addition with military honors conducted by the Eldora American Legion Walter-Sayer Post #182 and V.F.W. –Roll Harless #3974.
Jim was born January 20, 1938, in Gallatin, Tennessee, to Edgar Wayne Key and Corinne Key (Creasy) who have since passed. Jim's siblings, who reside in Illinois, include: Pat Bobkoski, Judy Bollman, and Lori Voorhees – His mother Corinne would later marry Bill Wyatt.
As a young boy, Jim and his family moved from Tennessee to Illinois where he would meet his future wife, Betty Lou Harper, while playing in the Rich Township High School band, in Park Forest. (Jim played the trombone.) Jim and Betty were married on August 30, 1958. (Jim passed away just one week short of their 56th wedding anniversary.) They had 3 children, now grown and married: Daniel (Kathrin), Deborah (Rob), and Robert (Gail). They also have 12 grandchildren: Justin, Wesley, Tyler (Emily), Wade, Brian, Brett, Jayden, Kaleysha, Brenna, Aubrey (David), Anna and Simeon. Our dad's love and commitment to his family has had a profound impact. He shared his love of reading, sports, and music, including the trombone and guitar. He enjoyed supporting the many interests and activities of his children and grandchildren. He coached Little League baseball in Indianola, IA, where one year his team played for the State championship.
Our Dad's legacy has been one of choosing to follow and serve God wherever He leads. As he prepared to attend college, he found himself facing a pivotal crossroads. One path offered immediate security, and the other path (where he felt called) offered no such security. It would require taking on numerous odd jobs to make ends meet, and trusting that the Lord was indeed at work in his life. Dad chose his calling – ministry – and would go on to dynamically impact his family, friends, and so many others throughout the world.
Jim attended North Park College, Chicago, IL, earning an Associate in Arts Degree (1958). He then attended Fort Wayne Bible College, Fort Wayne, IN, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree (1961), followed by Northern Baptist Seminary, Lombard, IL, earning a Masters of Divinity (1965). He would also attend Simpson College, earning a second B.A. Degree (1977).
Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964, and served as a Chaplain. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he was called to serve in Vietnam. He would spend one year in Vietnam from July 29, 1969 to July 28, 1970, serving in an Engineering Brigade, where he witnessed the best and worst in humanity. Upon his return he was stationed at White Sands Missile Range, in New Mexico. After one year he chose to leave fulltime military service, in part due to his commitment to his family. He would ultimately serve in the Army – Active Duty for 3 years, and in the Army Reserve for 24 years. He would reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Jim's extensive ministry experience includes: Chaplain, Iowa Veteran's Home, Marshalltown (1999-2003); Chaplain, State Training School, Eldora, and the Iowa Juvenile Home, Toledo (1978-1999); Pastor, First Baptist Church, Indianola (1971-1978); Pastor, First Baptist Church, Centerville, IN (1966-1968); Director of Christian Education, First Baptist Church, Valparaiso, IN (1964-1966), where he was ordained on January 23, 1966 (Denomination: American Baptist).
Jim had numerous other involvements, including: serving brief stints as part-time Pastor at United Methodist Church in Eldora, and the First Baptist Church in Union. He served 12 years as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Sioux Falls, in South Dakota. Jim volunteered in ministry at the Eldora Nursing Home, Hardin County Jail, the State Training School (after retirement), and with the Gideons. Jim was a member of the Eldora Kiwanis Club and Ministerial Association.
While we remember and celebrate the life of our dad, he would want, more than anything, to point you towards Jesus. Dad sought to whole-heartedly love God, and to love others. And though he would say in his humanity he struggled at both, his hope rested in what Jesus had already done, not in his own personal achievements. He would want you to know that whatever else may be, the answer rests in our Lord and Savior Jesus. About a year after his Alzheimer's diagnosis, when his physical and mental decline was becoming more evident, we would hang on every word spoken in clarity. Even in illness, dad was still pointing us to Jesus, as one day he said, "Be encouraged." "God is on the throne and there is no higher." "Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12) May you find your hope in Jesus.
We Love You Dad!
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