Phil Hoyt Key

KEY Phil Hoyt Key, 68, of Pataskala, Ohio, formerly of Ellijay, Georgia, passed Thursday, June 2, 2011 following a brief visit to Ellijay for his Gilmer High School Class of 1961 reunion. He was the son of the late Martin Van Buren and Mary Denia Fain Key, who was born on September 19, 1942, in Ellijay, Gilmer County, Georgia. Leaving Ellijay he joined The United States Air Force and was stationed in Dover, Del., Prestwick, Scotland, and at NATO bases in France. Seeing most of the world from C-130's and C-133's, he left the service with a honorable record. A self educated man who loved to read and study on his own, he became a successful home builder, real estate developer, office buildings owner, and community patron, but never lost his love for flying. He had owned several planes, flying all across the United States, Vancouver, Canada, and to the Cayman Islands. Funeral Services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2011, from the LOGAN FUNERAL HOME and CHAPEL with Rev. Charlie Mull and Rev. Edmund Miller Officiating and several family members and friends speaking from the congregation. Military Graveside Honors by The North Georgia Honor Guard were held from the Logan Funeral Home pavilion, followed by burial in the Key Family Plot in Mount Pleasant (Buckhorn) Baptist Church Cemetery. Donations may be made to The Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, c\o of Donald Watkins, 26 Thurman Road, Cherrylog, Georgia 30522. A memorial service will be held in Pataskala, OH at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2011, at the Hosanna Lutheran Church, 7714 Hazelton-Etna Road S.W., Pataskala, OH. Phil Key is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and John Shlepr; sons and daughters-in-law, Eric and Sue Key of Reynoldsville, Ohio, and Greg and Ann Key of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren, Logan, Tucker, Erin, Greg, Jr., Diane, Kristen, and Kiley; sisters Virginia Key Underwood of Cherrylog, Ga., Bernetta Key Tramell of Blue Ridge, Ga., Ellon Key McClelland of Hampton, Ga., and Diane Key Pinson; brothers, Hertis Key of Cherrylog, Ga., Kert Key of Kingston, Ga., and Chick Key of Mineral Bluff, Ga.; several nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements and services by Logan Funeral Home and Chapel of Ellijay, Ga., 706-635-4554. www.loganfuneralhome.com