KEY DONALD R

WO1 Donald R. Key was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 11/10/2024 at the age of 87.9
Flight Class 64-3
Date of Birth 12/26/1936
Served in the U.S. Army
This information was provided by Larry Stone

More detail on this person: Donald Ray Key, 87, of Fort Worth and Garner, Texas, passed away on November 10, 2024, after a long and fulfilling life. Don was born on December 26, 1936, to Hiram and Bernice Key in Fort Reno, Oklahoma. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Army and began his decades long military career and spent many years as a helicopter pilot, travelling and living abroad. He married his devoted wife Arlene in 1980, and they raised their children Brian and Lisa. When Don finally decided to retire at the age of 80, he spent his time in Garner, tending to his goats, donkeys and other little animals. He spent time playing his banjo and walking the Mineral Wells trail and socializing with friends and wonderful neighbors. His days became a little noisier when he became a grandfather "Baba" to his seven grandchildren. He is survived by wife Arlene, son Brian and his wife Rosie and their children Xander, Ariela and Isabella; his daughter Lisa Bunch and her husband Joshua, children Wyatt, Hattie, Emmett and Truett. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Eugene and sister Joan. A private memorial service will be held on January 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Baum Carlock Bumgardner Funeral Home in Mineral Wells, Texas.

This information was last updated 12/03/2024

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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025


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