Don R. Key Obituary (1937 - 2018)

MADISON - Donald R. Key, 80, of Madison, NC, passed away on June 26, 2018, after a short illness. Anyone desiring to join the family and attend this special home going service is welcomed. This special service will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Colonial Funeral Home. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Interment will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 29, 2018 at Woodland Cemetery. The family will receive friends all other times at the residence. He was born in Mt. Airy, NC on July 18, 1937, to the late Mary and Bishop Key. He moved to Madison, NC in 1947 where he lived most of his life. He was a book publisher, a businessman and along with his family, owned and operated House of Stars, which was a publishing business and a sales outlet for storage buildings, carports, gazebos and Amish furniture and gifts. After graduating from Madison High School in 1955, Don served in the United States Navy, where he served on the Aircraft Carrier, U.S.S. Ranger, and at the Naval Air Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was a longtime member of Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, the home of "The Talking Murals," located on US Highway 220 south of Madison. He gave many years of dedicated service to Mount Tabor, where he served in numerous capacities. Don also created and maintained the Veterans Memorial located on US Highway 220 near Madison. His special interests included birds, travel, music, family and friends. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Key in 2012. Until they see each other again in Gods kingdom, Don leaves behind his wife and best friend, Noreen Cox Key, to whom he was married on February 13, 1959, of the home. Other survivors include his daughters, Doneen of the home, Rhonda Lemons (Stephen) of 210 Neal Road; grandson, Nathan Lemons of Winston-Salem; sister, Pam Hooker; brother-in-law, Wallace Cox; sister-in-law, Anna Key-Weathers and others. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hands of God, PO Box 358, Madison, NC 27025. "To your grave theres no use taking any gold. You cannot use it when its time for hands to fold. When you leave this earth for a better home someday, the only thing youll take is what you gave away." Colonial Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family.