The Ball High family mourns the May 9th passing of Gary “Coach” Key, a longtime coach and mentor at Ball High School. Coach Key was 69 years old. He is one of the few coaches to lead all three major Galveston programs: O’Connell, Ball High, and Galveston College. Ball High School retired his jersey number in 2018 to honor his contributions to the program.
Coach Key was born in Louisville, KY on May 26, 1956. He spent the formative part of his childhood in Brownsville. Gary is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jeanne Key; his daughters Lauren (Drew), Lindsay (Brad), Caitlin (Daniel); grandchildren Bear, Millie, Field, Milo, and Rain; brother Scott (Jennifer) and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Gary is preceded in death by his parents Walton and Dorothy Key.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 30, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Ball High Tors Baseball Field (83rd Street and Stewart Rd in Galveston). Please dress casually.
