Fred (Freddie) Key,Jr.

Fred (Freddie) Key, Jr.

August 20, 1931 – March 8, 2026

Fred (Freddie) Key, Jr., age 94, of rural Trenton passed away peacefully March 8, 2026 at Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton.

Freddie was born August 20, 1931 at home near Hickory, Missouri, the son of Fred and Delores (Metsker) Key. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1949 and began farming with his family and worked fixing up automobiles in his dad’s garage.

Freddie married Margaret Carrol Whitley on December 24, 1951 at the Gallatin United Methodist Church. They had three children, Richard (Connie) Key and Joanna (Ken) Anderson of rural Trenton and Lori (Robert) Malone of Fort Collins, CO. The couple celebrated 74 years of marriage last Christmas Eve enjoying the many cards and letters received from family and friends. Freddie was a lifelong member of Dockery Chapel Church near Hickory and served on the board and in other capacities. He was instrumental in the church’s expansion and building projects.

Freddie and Carrol were a team who shared the responsibilities of growing and milking a Grade A dairy herd for 20 years, row crop farming throughout Grundy County and providing leadership and service to the Pleasant Ridge Boosters and Grundy County Horsemanship 4-H Clubs. He assisted Boy Scout Troop 95 taking a group of scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico in 1968. The couple rode in several parades with the North Missouri Saddle Club in the 50s.

Freddie could fix anything and for years built and sold farm trucks from salvaged vehicles and parts. A true optimist, Freddie said, “Every day’s a good day, some are just better than others.” That was his philosophy even when combines burned, grain trucks tipped over, tractors got stuck and fields flooded or burned up. He was always seen smiling and sharing his good nature with others. Freddie designed and built a two-story rocket ship for the playground at Garfield School, which the kids loved; and he created other kinds of equipment and implements for farming.

In addition to his wife, Carrol, of the home and his three children, Freddie is survived by one brother, Bud Key of rural Trenton; a brother/sister-in-law, John and Bev Whitley of Trenton; a sister-in-law, Donna Key of Illinois; seven grandchildren, Rachael (Joe) Rongey of Trenton, Brent Key of Marion, VA, Wade (Lauren) Key of Lawson, Daniel (Beth) Anderson of Liberty, Clayton (Hayley) Anderson of Trenton, Emily (Alex) Porter of Kearney, and Lily Malone of Denver, CO; and 12 great-grandchildren, Gracyn (Chase) Otto, Mason Rongey, Reed Rongey, Brayden Key, Addison Key, Adaline Anderson, Case Anderson, Eleanor Anderson, August Anderson, Ryker Porter, Renley Porter and Rex Porter; plus several nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Delores Key; parents-in-law, Ralph and Lillian Whitley; siblings, Ronalddeen Key, Gene Key, Annielea Blattner and an infant sister Rayleane Key.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at Dockery Chapel Church near Trenton.

Family visitation will be held Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation or St. Luke’s Hospice.

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