Phil Hoyt Key, 68, of Pataskala, Ohio, formerly of Ellijay, Ga., passed Thursday, June 2, 2011 following a brief visit to Ellijay for his Gilmer High School Class of 1961 reunion. He was the son of the late Martin Van Buren and Mary Denia Fain Key, born on September 19, 1942, in Ellijay, Gilmer County, Georgia. Leaving Ellijay he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Dover, Del., Prestwick, Scotland and at NATO bases in France. Seeing most of the world from C-130s and C-133s, he left the service with an honorable record. A self educated man who loved to read and study on his own, he became a successful home builder, real estate developer, office buildings owner and community patron, but never lost his love of flying. He had owned several planes, flying all across the United States, Vancouver, Canada and to the Cayman Islands.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 7th, 2011, from the Logan Funeral Home and Chapel with Rev. Charlie Mull and Rev. Edmund Miller officiating and several family members and friends speaking from the congregation. Military Graveside Honors by The North Georgia Honor Guard will be held from the Logan Funeral Home pavilion, followed by burial in the Key Family Plot in Mount Pleasant (Buckhorn) Baptist Church Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, c/o of Donald Watkins, 26 Thurman Road, Cherrylog, Georgia 30522.

Phil Key is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Heidi and John Shlepr; sons and daughters-in-law: Eric and Sue Key of Reynoldsville, Ohio and Greg and Ann Key of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren: Logan, Tucker, Erin, Greg, Jr., Diane, Kristen and Kiley; sisters: Virginia Key Underwood of Cherrylog, Ga., Bernetta Key Tramell of Blue Ridge, Ga., Ellon Key McClelland of Hampton, Ga. and Diane Key Pinson; brothers: Hertis Key of Cherrylog, Ga., Kert Key of Kingston, Ga. and Chick Key of Mineral Bluff, Ga.; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements and services by Logan Funeral Home and Chapel of Ellijay, Ga. 706-635-4554, www.loganfuneralhome.com.