Wade "Denny" Key, Sr.

Mr. Wade “Denny” Key, Sr., 78, of East Bend, NC, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, at the SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin.

Denny was born on July 20, 1947, in Surry County, NC, to the late June Denny Key and Ida Mae Edwards.

Denny, Sr. was born in Mt. Airy, NC, and spent many of his days surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins. He had fond memories of spending summers on his grandfather’s farm on McKinney Road and valued time with his extended family. 

Denny moved to Winston-Salem, NC, and graduated from North Forsyth High School in 1965. He was an accomplished athlete, specifically in basketball, and won numerous awards during his time at North Forsyth. His team also made it to the state championship game in 1964 where he was named the Most Valuable Player. His next adventure took him to Appalachian State University on a basketball scholarship where he was a member of the Bob “Light Brigade.” To this day, many of those teammates are among his dearest friends. After graduating from ASU in 1970, Denny embarked on a storied, decorated coaching tour that began in South Carolina. A common thread among his many stops, he has players from the SC days that he still speaks with and would visit him in Tybee Island, GA. After a brief stint in SC, his path took him to Yadkin County, NC, where he took over at Forbush High School as basketball coach. During his time at Forbush High School, Denny also coached volleyball and softball. In each of these sports, Denny was successful and, again, still has many close friends from those days. Following Forbush High School, Denny spent time at South Park High School, Carver High School, North Davidson High School, and Davie High School. Denny finally landed at West Forsyth High School where he developed a tremendous program that, for a time, was the winningest program in Forsyth County Schools. Denny retired from West Forsyth and the adventures really began.

Denny did not lead a dull life. After retiring from West Forsyth High School, he moved to Myrtle Beach. Boredom got the best of him and he started teaching and coaching again. He also fell in love with the beach during this time and eventually met his wife, Brenda. Denny and Brenda made stops in Hilton Head and Tybee Island, GA; Tybee Island is also a place that Denny fell in love with and, eventually, he became the de facto Mayor of Tybrisa St. He never met a stranger and his gift of gab led to countless friendships formed among visitors to Tybee, as well as many of the locals. Denny eventually returned to Yadkin County, NC, and spent time at Mount Tabor High School with the “Muse boys”, where he was part of a state championship team, spent some time at Reagan High School in the middle, and completed his coaching journey back at Forbush High School. In total, Denny spent a little over 55 years coaching basketball. Denny remained in East Bend, NC, where he spent his final years until his passing, and all he ever wanted was to make it to just one more game.

If you knew Denny, he was interesting, to say the least. He had an innate fear of missing out and this trait led him to always wonder what was going on somewhere else. He and Brenda traveled a lot and took numerous visits to Key West. He favored Ernest Hemingway, even though EH was not the size of an NFL tackle, and we believe this played a role in his fondness for Key West. He would also spend his free time visiting his aunts, uncles, and cousins and riding the roads with his brother, Terry. To summarize his life, he was funny, charming, witty, and he was also the cavalry if anyone needed help. He had a fondness for road trips, Bob Seger and the Eagles, and a good cheeseburger. Ultimately, he would also want you to know that he lived well, he lived big, had “77 pretty darn good years,” and, finally, “if you can afford a Whopper, you ain’t broke.”

Denny was preceded in death by his parents, June Denny Key and Ida Mae Edwards.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Brenda Bagley Key; brother and biggest fan, Terry Key; son, Wade "Denny" Key, Jr; his daughter, Amanda Key Shore (Bradley); stepdaughters, Tracie Leonard (Craig) and Paige Oudekerk (Matt); stepson, Brent Parker (Mandie); grandchildren, Charlsie and Lila Key, Parker, Elliott, and Worth Shore, Kimberly Leonard and Allison Baurichter, Casey Raines, Michael Oudekerk, and Matthew Oudekerk, and Katie Parker, Mason Parker, and Cassidy Mason; and 9 great grandchildren. He also leaves a special friend, Valerie Key, whose guidance and support during Denny’s health issues were appreciated more than anyone could adequately express.

Service details will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin, 243 N Lee Ave, Yadkinville, NC 27055.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family of Mr. Key.