Joseph “Joe” Leonard Key, 78, of Warren, passed quietly at his home in Warren with his son, Jody and Kay Daniels at his side, on Saturday, May 16, 2015.  He was born on July 16, 1936, to Freddie Hazel Bland Key and King David Key.  Joe served his country in the United States Army and later worked as a machinist.

Joe was a strong, brilliant man who started Beaumont Machine Works and built it to what it was when he retired in 2003. 

He renovated and lived in a barn in Silsbee until 2012 when he moved to Warren for care purposes.  Joe suffered with Alzheimer’s since 2009 and was diagnosed with cancer in 2014.  His last years were comfortably quiet.  He will be truly missed, for he was truly loved by all; even his true friends and loving dogs, Buckshot, Joesi, and Shylo.

Survivors include his children, Jody Key and his wife, Sandy, of Lumberton; stepchildren, Larry Cornett and his wife, Kay, of Silsbee; Sandy Brocato and her husband, Charles, of Beaumont; and Wanda Beck of Beaumont; honorary children, Liz and Ray Blackwell of Warren; Randy Blackwell of Pawee, Oklahoma; Dustin and Dan Northcutt of Denton; and Jeri and Rhett Moore of Silsbee; grandchildren, Colby, Colton, and Caitlyn Key of Lumberton; step-grandchildren, Suzann and Paul Brocato, Hope and Charles Brocato, and Angela and Michael Brocato, all of Warren; Allison and Tim Cornett of Nederland; Joey Cornett of Mauriceville; Niki and Carry Cotton of Lumberton; and Jake Beck; honorary grandchildren, Kayla Blackwell of Woodville; Chris Callier of Houston; Shannon and Colt Blackwell of Lumberton; Camlann Moore of Silsbee; Spencer Brolsma of Denton; and Mitch Brolsma of White, Georgia; step-great-grandchildren, Olyvia, Parker, and Oubree Brocato and Kennedy and Hunter Brocato, all of Warren; Karley Miranda Means Wood of Spurger; and Clay and Camden Cornett; mother, Freddie Hazel Neel of Nacogdoches; sisters, Doris Davidson and her husband, D.C., of Madisonville; Kathryn Barclay of Nacogdoches; Cheryl Gentry, Donna Key, and Shiela Key; many, many more family and friends; and very, very special people, Shay McNeal, Quita Walker, Elizabeth Kourtney, Donna Redmon, and Martha Gray.

He is preceded in death by his father; stepfather, Leaman Neal; brother, David Key; and brother-in-law, Joe Barclay.

A gathering of Joe’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday May 18, 2015, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Broussard’s, with a 2:00 p.m. burial at Myrtle Springs Cemetery, Geneva, Texas. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 2909 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77025.