J Key

Former Barren County Sheriff and Jailer, J. B. Key passed away at his home on Tuesday November 1, 2005 following a short battle with bone marrow cancer. He was 67 years old. J. B. was born Oct. 9, 1938 in Pickett County, TN to the late Barlow and Ruby Rabon Key. The family moved to the Temple Hill Community in 1943 where J. B. lived until the time of his death. In December of 1962, J. B. married his wife of 42 years, Christine Tarry Key, who survives him. Along with his wife, he is survived by one daughter Terri Ellen Webb and her husband Dr. Steve Webb, their two daughters Maggie Ellen Vaughn and Mollie Kate Webb all of Glasgow; one son Barry Jay Key and his wife Stephanie Thompson Key and their children Collin Jacob 'CJ' Key and Kristin Elizabeth Key all of Temple Hill; one special son Harlan E. Smith and his family of Bowling Green; his father in law and mother in law Vick and Blondell Nichols (Tarry) Emberton; one brother in law William R. 'Bud' Tarry and his wife Paula Tarry along with their daughter Miranda Kaye Tarry; two sisters in law Roberta Tarry Bryant and her son Deputy Sheriff Chris Eaton and his wife Sheila along with their children Brook Barnes, Murphy Ellen Eaton and Tanner Ross Eaton; and Sherry Emberton Isenberg and her husband Larry. J.B. is also survived by many loved ones to whom he opened his home and heart throughout the years. J. B. was a 1956 graduate of Temple Hill High School and completed several hours of college credit in Law Enforcement from Eastern Kentucky University. He was a member of the Temple Hill Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and on many and various committees. J.B. was proud to have lived a life of service to his community. J.B. and Christine owned and operated Key Grocery and Hardware in the Temple Hill Community for 10 years. He also spent many years driving semi-trucks and operating heavy equipment before joining the law enforcement community on July 31, 1973. On this date he was sworn in as a Barren County Deputy Sheriff. He served in this capacity from 1973 until January of 1978, when he was sworn in as Sheriff of Barren County. In 1982 he was sworn in as Barren County Jailer where he served until 1985. Following this service to Barren County he became a Senior Ranger for the Kentucky State Parks where he served until his retirement in 1994. Following retirement from law enforcement, J.B. went to work for the Barren County Board of Education's Transportation Dept. where he drove a school bus for Temple Hill Elementary until his death. During his many years of service to Barren County, J.B. was involved in many community organizations. He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Police in Glasgow where he served as chaplain for two years and was awarded the outstanding member trophy in 1974 and 1975. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Sheriffs Assn. and the KY Jailers Assn. where he served on an advisory committee. He helped to organize the Temple Hill Sportsman's Club and served as president for several years and was very active in wildlife conservation. He also helped to organize the Temple Hill Little League and coached and was instrumental in helping begin the Temple Hill Volunteer Fire Dept. where he served on the Board of Directors and as Asst. Fire Chief. During this time he helped other communities in organizing their volunteer departments. J.B. was elected to the Board of Directors for the Barren County Cattleman's Assn. and the KY Limousin Breeders Assn and was a life long member of the Democratic Party. Funeral services will be 10:00am Friday November 4th at the A. F. Crow & Son Funeral Home with burial in the Happy Valley Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin after 5:00pm Wednesday at the funeral home. The family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to T. J. Samson Community Hospital's Hospice Program or your favorite charity.