James Edward Key, age 82, of Austin, was born on July 11, 1930, and passed away on March 5, 2013. He graduated from N.R. Crozier Tech High School in 1947. He attended the USAF Machinist School in 1949 and the I.C.S. Tool Design Division 1 in 1956. He served in the USAF from 1948 until 1952, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He worked as a machinist and tool maker in Dallas until 1963, until he became the machine shop supervisor for Tracor, Inc. He was a Senior Member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. In 1974, he worked as a supervisor for the UT Fusion Research Center and worked as a machinist supporting UT Fusion Reactor before retiring in 1996. He was also a 33rd Degree Mason.
Mr. Key is survived by his son, Francis S. Key and granddaughter, Lauren D. Key.
A visitation will be held from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2013 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Funeral services will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.
To share tributes with the family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com
