Mr. Thomas Wayne “Tommy” Key, Jr., 59, of Walkertown, NC passed away peacefully on Monday, July 29, 2024, after a 2-month battle with sudden onset pancreatitis.   

A native of Forsyth County, NC, Tommy was the husband of Sandra “Sandy” Meeks and the son of Thomas Wayne Key, Sr. and Barbara Morton Key, both deceased. 

Survivors include his wife, Sandy; two stepdaughters, Sarah Cooper and Anna Cooper; one step-grandson, Charles Bowman; one brother, David Key (Barbara); two nieces, Elizabeth Key Lynch (Keais) and Lauren Key and one nephew, Tyler Key. In addition to his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by his stepson, Joshua Cooper.

Tommy was a genuine, caring and authentic person who had the special gift of recognizing strengths in other people and encouraging everyone he knew.   He was an avid reader, loved movies and took great pride in being an AP Psychology, English and American History teacher at Atkins High School, speaking of his students daily.      He was a deep thinker, and thoroughly enjoyed reflecting and writing words of inspiration for himself and others.

He loved his family and friends and spoke of his love for his wife, Sandy often.  

He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.  

Funeral services celebrating Tommy’s life will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Morris Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeff Coppley officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends from 9:30AM to 11:00AM Saturday prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Morris Chapel United Methodist Church in Walkertown, NC.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com

Real love: The kind that is sustaining and lasting is not made up of big moments but small ones.  It is the love that nurtures the soul on rainy days when life has you down and things just don't fit. 

It is the love that stares you in the face when you look your worst and says, “I love you anyway.” Despite the broken places you have both been, the days when nothing else matters except healing from the past. 

Real love is not always silly endearments from love songs that you know all the lyrics to, it is the place of rest for the battering of the soul that life brings. Real love is messy, it hurts and heals sometimes in the same breath. 

If it were as easy as a parade there'd be balloons and fireworks and explosions every day, but someone has to keep the floats running properly.  

Someone has to get up at four and make sure they are going to thrill the crowds and make the children smile.   Real love is the hard work when maybe you don't like each other at the moment, but you trudged on to work anyway.    

Small moments in a big life.  

                                                                                             Written by Tommy Key, 2019