John William Key, Sr.

John William Key, Sr. was born in Bethpage, Tennessee, on May 11, 1942, to the late Bailey Walter and Luella Mae Key.  To this union were born ten girls and four boys.  John was preceded in death by three brothers; James, Jesse, and Joseph, four sisters; Beverly, Bessie Luckey, Brenda, and Beaulina Holland; one grandchild, and three great-grandchildren.  As a young boy, John and his family moved from Tennessee to Ohio, where he attended Lincoln Heights Elementary and High School.  On Veterans Day, 2012, John was awarded his diploma from Princeton High School.

John served his country as a member of the United States Army.  He was assigned to the 118thEngineering Brigade in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in February 1966.  After his military service, John worked at General Electric (GE) in Evendale, Ohio, as an Electron Beam Welder in the Aircraft Engine Business Group, among other positions. He was inventive and qualified for the elite “Suggestionaire Club” for 1984-85.  This honor was bestowed in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Suggestion Plan by submitting 14 Adopted Suggestions in a twelve-month period.  His valuable ideas saved the company thousands of dollars by improving machines and processes.  John retired from GE after approximately 38 years.

John married the love of his life, Estelle, on July 23, 1966, and had 11 girls and four boys.  John was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost at the First Pentecostal Church of Blue Ash (FPC), under the pastorate of the late Bishop Eddie Lee Forster, where he grew in his faith and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  When FPC transitioned to Abundant Life Apostolic Church (ALAC), John served faithfully under the pastorate of Bishop H. Anthony Stephens as a member of the choir, the Usher Board, and the Men’s Ministry until his health failed.

John was talented in many areas and an artistic person who loved all things creative, whether photography, sewing, singing, playing an instrument, drawing, or modifying his cars into new creations unrecognizable from their original form.  He was the sharpest dressed man in the room and had a fashion sense that was second to none.  His clothing was a blank canvas for his creative talent, and he fashioned them according to the occasion and often showed up color-coordinated from head to toe with his wife’s outfits.  John also loved playing horseshoes and pool.  He was often seen at the Sycamore Senior Center, challenging the members to shoot a few games.

John was a great provider who had an excellent work ethic that was taught to his children and grandchildren.  Most importantly, he was a great man of God who loved the Lord and looked forward to meeting his Savior by the rapture or by the grave.  He leaves an awesome legacy for his family to follow.

The corner of Cornell and Kenwood will miss the impact of John’s cars crashing multiple times in the same spot. Allstate will miss the opportunity to increase its rates after each crash.  The police will miss the opportunity to pull John over when the car they look up fails to match.  The impact of John’s life was felt all over the city, and the loss will be felt deeply.

John leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife and best friend, Estelle; 15 children; Tammy Zinner (Andrew), Patience Hamlin (Lontae), VelvinHall (Larry), Beverly Bowers (Michael), Sharon Chapman, Kathy, John Jr. (Tonya), Tina Carter (Michael), Vera, Carla Williams, Brian, Dawn Giles (Chris), Vickie Godfrey (David), Robert, and Shawn; 41 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, his sisters; Betty Gray, Barbara Debow (Thomas), Belinda, Beatrice Brown, Beulah Cloud, and Bernice Woodward; several brothers and sisters-in-law, and a whole host of nieces, nephews, relatives, church family and friends; and one very special little best buddy, Ryker Wamsley.

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