Thomas Calvin Key Jr.

Thomas Calvin “T.C.” Key, Jr., 85, of Fort Worth, Texas went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 3, 2017. A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 7100 Crowley Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76134, 817-293-1350 at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2017. There will be a family and friends gathering at Laurel Land Funeral Home prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Pastor Judy Madden, Pathway Church, Burleson, Texas will be officiating. Burial will follow at Laurel Land Memorial Park. T. C. was born January 26, 1932 in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from Paschal High School in 1949. He attended Arlington State College which is now known as University of Texas at Arlington. He married the former Geneva Shipley on April 21, 1953 and they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this year. After joining the United States Air Force in October 1955, they had two daughters while stationed at the Amarillo Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas. He attained the rank of Airman First Class and was selected “Airman of the Month”, a most distinguished honor. He completed his service at that base as an instructor in guided missiles. After a 4-year enlistment, he moved his family back to Fort Worth where he continued serving in the Air Force Reserves until October 1961. T. C. then joined the Fort Worth Police Department serving the community on December 24, 1960 and retired January 31, 1989, serving 28 years & 1 month. He was the Flight Officer in the Fort Worth Police Helicopter Services the last 20 years of his career. He continued working security for the Fort Worth Convention Center and the Fort Worth Symphony for many years after retirement. T. C. learned much about aircraft in the Air Force and developed a love for flying. He earned his Pilot’s License and flew small planes as a hobby. He was an avid military buff and particularly enjoyed military history. T. C. enjoyed traveling with his wife all over the world as far as Australia, Alaska, and Europe. He also loved to tinker with mechanical things, something he learned as a young boy when he helped his father with windmills, clocks and motors. T. C. loved being around his two daughters and their families, taking them camping and boating. He relished family gatherings during the holidays and on birthdays. He never met a stranger and was a friend to everyone. He was a huge influence on many lives and we will all miss him dearly. T.C. was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Calvin, Sr. and Nannie Marie Key; and son-in-law, Buzzy Padilla. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Geneva, of 64 years; his two daughters, Sharee and husband Kelly Williams of Joshua, Texas, Debra Padilla and Buck Lide of Windthorst, Texas; 3 grandchildren, Misti and husband Danan Rakowski of Burleson, Texas, A. J. and wife Ashley Padilla of Paradise, Texas, Clint and wife Olivia Padilla of Rhome, Texas; great-grandson, Lane Podsednik; and sister, Joan and husband James McInnis of Springfield, Missouri, several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and a host of friends.