Longest-serving member of Zoneton fire, Major Garry Key, laid to rest Share Updated: 9:06 PM EST Feb 22, 2021 WLKY Digital Team Share Updated: 9:06 PM EST Feb 22, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript FORWARD. ALEXIS: THE BODY OF MAJOR GARRY KEYES WILL BE A LONG PROCESSION ROUTE ON PRESTON HIGHWAY AND WILL PASS THE SAME FIRE DISTRICT WHERE THE MAJOR SERVED FOR 36 YEARS. IT IS A TRIBUTE TO A MAN WHO MANY SAY WAS MORE THAN A FIREFIGHTER. >> TODAY, WE CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF MAJOR GARRY KEY, A MENTOR, A FRIEND AND A TRUE HERO. ALEXIS: A FIRE JACKET WITH THE INITIAL G. KEY AND HELMET SIT NEXT TO A ZONETON COMMUNITY HERO WHO TOUCHED THE LIVES OF MANY. AFTER A MONTH-LONG BATTLE WITH CORONAVIRUS, MAJOR AND BATTILLION CHIEF GARRY KEY PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 13 >> THE LAST THREE MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN TESTED. OUR BOND HAS ONLY GROWN STRONGER. ALEXIS: MAJOR KEY’S DEATH IS A SECOND BLOW TO THE DEPARTMENT AS THEY’RE STILL GRIEVING THE LOSS OF MAJOR ROB ORKIES, WHO ALSO DIED FROM THE VIRUS. >> WE WILL CONTINUE TO PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER, SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND LEAN ON EACH OTHER. ALEXIS: KEY WAS A PUBLIC SERVANT, DEDICATING HIS LIFE TO THE ZONETON FIRE DISTRICT, BULLITT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, THE U.S. ARMY AND HIS FAMILY. >> NOTHING MADE HIM HAPPIER THAN TALKING ABOUT HIS FAMILY. THEY WERE ALWAYS FRONT AND CENTER IN HIS MIND AND I HOPE ONE DAY, TO BE THE TYPE OF FAMILY MAN HE WAS. ♪ ALEXIS: ON MONDAY, ZONETON FIREFIGHTERS HONORED A LIFE WELL LIVED. EACH MEMBER HANDLED THE CASKET AS IT WAS PLACED ON A VINTAGE ENGINE FROM MAJOR KEY’S EARLY DAYS AREA FIRST RESPONDERS LED THE PROCESSION ROUTE DOWN PRESTON HIGHWAY, WHERE ONLOOKERS LIKE TERRY STIVERS PAID THEIR RESPECTS. >> I’M SURE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT TO LOSE ANOTHER LEADER. THEY PERSEVERE AND PUSH ON AND I’M SURE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO A GREAT JOB. >> WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE BEST FIRE SERVICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HONOR OUR TRUE H