Gary Key

1952 - 2022

Gary Key
January 16, 1952 - January 25, 2022
Lexington, Kentucky - Gary Bruce Key, 70, died Tuesday, January 25, 2022. He fought bravely with multiple illnesses and eventually chose to be cared for by Hospice at St. Joseph's where he passed away peacefully. He graduated from the University of Kentucky and worked as a social worker and also as a hospice volunteer in the 1980s. He was well-known as an advocate for the LGBT community, was the first president of AVOL, and received a GSO/GLSO/PCSO Founder's Award. He was a well known bartender at the Bungalow, a former employee of GTE/Verizon, where he retired in 2009. After a short break from retirement in 2012 he began working part-time for the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Office of Medical Education as a Simulated Patient. He loved working with the students and was enthusiastic with his role as both actor and teacher in that job. He is survived by a younger brother, Ronnie Key, and countless friends, some from as far back as freshman year at UK. His Bluegrass Stakes parties were great fun and defined an era. He loved traveling and visited several countries and had friends across the US. He loved the beach most of all, two favorites being Aruba and St. Croix. He is also survived by his partner of 45 years, Edwin Hackney.
Clark Legacy Center is assisting and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Gary insisted we be sure all were safe before any group events would be held.
Donations are suggested to The Pride Center, 389 Waller Ave. #100, Lexington KY 40504. AVOL Kentucky, 365 Waller Ave. #100, Lexington, KY 40504. Moveable Feast, Inc. 474 Silver Maple Way, Lexington, KY 40508.
Hospice/Bluegrass Care Navigators, 1733 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington, KY 40504