Arthur Jack Key

Jack Key, age 89, passed away on June 19, 2023 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Born on November 24th,1933 in Dallas Texas to Elbert and Robbie Ruth Key as the youngest of four children. Jack honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War.
Following his return, he attended North Texas State University (now known as University of North Texas) as a military veteran where he met his beloved wife Joyce Ann Massey Key. Over their 68 years of marriage, Jack would recount the story of seeing Joyce walking across campus, turning to his Lambda Chi brothers, and stating, "that is the girl I'm going to marry." True to his word, the two were married on December 27th,1955 and started their life and family in Denton, Texas. The couple have three children, Kimberly, Kevin, and Keri.
After finishing college Jack moved his family to Beaumont Texas working for an insurance company until 1960 when he was hired by his father-in-law Mack Massey Sr. to oversee the used car department located in El Paso, Texas. Jack enjoyed saying "the car business just gets in your blood." He bought his first car dealership in Waco Texas in 1968.
His passion for the car business led him to own and operate five Jack Key Motor Company dealerships in three Southern New Mexico Counties. Jack key Motor Company was a new vehicle franchised dealer for Nissan, Honda, Kia, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Lincoln-Mercury.
Over more than 30 years in business, Jack Key Motor Company was recognized for numerous achievements in sales and customer services, including being nominated for the most prestigious award a new car dealer can receive, The Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year, in which only one dealer from each state can be nominated.
Additionally, Jack served as the President of the Las Cruces Dealers Organization and the New Mexico Automobile Dealers Association. He served on the Jeep advisory council six times as well as the Nissan Advisory council, and he was elected twice as the Mercedes-Benz representative through the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA).
Jack and son Kevin were active members of the Las Cruces and New Mexico community, proud to call the city and state home. Jack served as the President of the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, a Las Cruces forum member and a member of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance. He was an avid fan and financial supporter of the New Mexico State Aggies Athletics. Jack was a member of the Rotary club, a philanthropic supporter of numerous charities and charitable activities across southern New Mexico, an active supporter of the 4-H club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Organization. In his free time, Jack enjoyed fishing, especially with his grandchildren, spending time in Ruidoso, playing a round of golf and traveling.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Joyce Key; their three children and their grandchildren, Brandon Key, Emily Atwood, Sarah Garvey, Zachary Parr, Audrey LeBlanc; and four great-grandchildren, Kamryn Key, Kason Key, Charlotte Garvey and Abel Atwood.
Jack is preceded in death by his father Elbert Key, his mother Robbie Ruth Key, his brother Bob Key, his half sister Lela Burns, his half brother LeDon Burns, his great-grandchildren Bridget, Vivian and Liam Garvey.
Funeral service honoring Jack Key's life will be held on Saturday, July 15th at 10 am at Getz Funeral Home, located at 1410 E. Bowman Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001. In lieu of followers, the family requests donations be made in Jack Key's name to Make-A-Wish New Mexico at https://wish.org/nm.