Matt’s Evaluation

I recently had a first. As a supervisor at Assemblies of God headquarters, I fill out and sign a “Termination Evaluation” whenever one of our staff leaves our employ. The one I recently signed was the first one I’ve ever signed that listed the reason for termination as “death.”

Readers of our TPE blogs and Web site know that our longtime art director, Matt Key, was recently taken from us suddenly at the age of 49. I wish I never would have had to sign that form. But we must leave this in God’s hands and trust that He will bring good out of it and comfort grieving friends and family.

There was one section that, for the first time, I did not have to fill out—the section that ranks the outgoing employee in several areas. This section includes: ability, attitude, dependability, cooperation, quality of work, quantity of work, initiative, etc. I’d like to fill this out online for Matt.

Matt, you got the highest score in every category. You were a gift from God and we miss you.

Words About Matt

On this day after an amazing funeral, friends of Matt Key are connecting with their reactions.

Ashli O'Connell was our assistant editor at TPE for several years. We still consider her a part of the staff. She emailed me this morning:

"I hope that many others were inspired like me to start living my life better starting today. What an incredible man he was ... and we were blessed to work with him."

Amen, Ashli.

Jodi Harmon, our advertising coordinator, who has the longest tenure of any staff member sent this:

"After hearing again of Matt's love for missions yesterday, it was fitting when I realized his grave is next to an AG missionary..........C.W. Van Dolsen. (His son Warren and wife Laura are now missionaries in Italy. And Matt's last issue was on Europe.)"

There is a memorial website set up for Matt's friends to read and leave thoughts about him, www.mattkeywashere.com.

Matthew Sanford Key, Follower of Christ

Matthew Sanford Key, follower of Christ, loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather, faithful son, dedicated brother and friend to countless others, passed away on September 28, 2008, at the age of 49. He was born November 9, 1958. He is survived by his wife, Robin Key; his mother, Phyllis Key; his children, Lucas and Karen Key, Brooke and Gabe Ash, Lindsey Key, Mckinzie Royer Key and Madison Key; three grandchildren, Jaiden Key, Deacon Matthew Key and Lincoln Ash; brothers, Sam Key and Brad Key; and cousins, Anthony Ward and Erica Ward. Funeral services will be held in James River Assembly of God at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 2, 2008. Visitation will be held in the church from 12 p.m. until service time. Memorial donations may be made to Assemblies of God Credit Union, Matthew Key Memorial Fund, 1535 N. Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO 65803.

[Obituary from the Springfield News-Leader]