| Overall UK Wins: 10 | Overall UK Losses: 3 | Win % 76.9 |
Date of Birth: October 7, 1916
Date of Death: October 24, 2000
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
For a generalized listing of officials, please consult this page.
Obituary - Knoxville News-Sentinel (October 26, 2000)
KEYS, ROBERT JACK - age 84, only child of Robert Swepson and Anna Grace Keys, lost his valiant fight against cancer n Tuesday, October 24, 2000.
Jack was an active member of West End Church of Christ, serving many years on the church ushering committee. He was prominent in both civic and sports activities throughout his lifetime, starting with his record setting performances in the 1936 AAV Swimming Competition, placing first in the 50 and 100 yard butterfly breast stroke, a record not broken until 1948.
In 1937, he became a Charter Member of the first TSSAA officials groups and was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 1985. His induction into the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame was in 1984. After years of participation in basketball and football officiating, he was voted into the S.E.C. and O.V.C. groups. He was Knoxville's basketball commissioner for 31 years and football for over 26 years, served as Youth Activities Chairman for BPOE#160, winning the "Elk of the Year" 1973-74, later to become an Elk Past Exalted Ruler. A recipient of the National Football Foundation Distinguished Service Award, East Tennessee Chapter.
Twice appointed to the State Commission for Children and Youth. He was often referred to as Mr. "A" House, with 32 years employment at the Gay Street Store. After his Athletic House retirement, he was bailiff in Knox County Criminal Court Division I, serving under four judges, including 7 years with now Congressman, John J. Duncan, Jr., 3 years with now Attorney General Randy Nichols, Judge Nigro and Judge Richard Baumgardner.
Jack's WALL OF FAME displays many honors and titles even to his appointment as "Colonel" by three different governors. Jack has been the subject of many newspaper and magazine articles in the field of sports.
Although he was not in the armed forces, during World War II, he served his country thought his employment as Materials Manager for Armstrong Cork's insulation contract on 162 tankers in Mobile, Ala. He also officiated many ball games and sporting events at the various military bases in the Gulf Coast area, 1940-1946. At the war's end he returned to Knoxville and resume his sports activities that same week.
Survivors: wife of 66 years, Eloise Wilson Keys; daughter, Nancy Key Mink-Markley; granddaughter, Marcia Mink; grandson, Ron, D. Mink, Jr.; great-granddaughter, Courtney Mink; great-grandsons, David and Jerrod Standefer, all of Houston, Texas; one cousin in Knoxville, Mildred Ault.
Responding to the need for cancer researcher, he donated his body upon his death to Tennessee Anatomical Bequest Program in Memphis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, East Tennessee Region, 4708 Papermill Dr., Knoxville, TN 37909 or to a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.
