Richard Key Obituary

Mr. Richard Key, 88, of Smiths Station, AL, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Columbus Hospice House in Columbus, GA.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00 pm EST, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, AL. A private interment will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 pm, at the funeral home.

Mr. Key was born June 10, 1936, in LaGrange, GA, son of the late Hayde P. Key and Mary Hazel Grant Key. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Mr. Key retired from Equifax as the Director of Personnel Services. He also served the community in several capacities, serving as a Lee County Commissioner and a past President of the Alabama County Commissioners Association, Smiths Station City Council, Smiths Station Water Authority, Lee County Youth Development and various other boards serving the community. He was also an active 30 year member of the Smiths Station Ruritan Club serving in various leadership roles . Down through the years he has coached football at the Phenix City Boys Club and coached basketball at St. Patrick School. Mr. Key enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid Auburn fan. Above all he loved spending time with his family. Mr. Key spent many years attending St. Patrick Catholic Church. He had a servant’s heart for the community and its members that will continue to impact generations to come.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Curtis Key.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Irma “Linda” Bowes Key; four daughters, Diana Soliday, Julie Davis and husband Lee, Susan Belcher and Amy Cates; two sons, Richard Key II and wife Lisa and Daniel “Danny” Key and wife Robin; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; numerous other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude’s at www.stjude.org, the Loving Touch Veterans Assisted Living, 245 Lee Road 294, Smiths Station, AL 36877 or your favorite veteran’s charity in his memory.