James Richard "Scooter" Key, 65, of Benton, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026.  He was born June 24, 1960 in Benton, Arkansas.

Scooter was born and raised in the Sharon community in Benton, Arkansas.  He attended Caldwell Elementary, Westside Junior High, and graduated from Benton High School in 1978.

Immediately after high school he went to work for the Arkansas Highway Department. He worked there until he retired in 2016, starting on the road crew and retiring from the Material & Testing Lab.

Scooter loved sports and throughout his school years participated in baseball, football, and basketball. As an adult he also developed a love for golf, playing at any opportunity.

Scooter loved the Lord and was always grateful for the 3 wonderful church homes he was blessed by. Sharon Missionary Baptist Church, New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church and Glazier Peau Missionary Baptist Church. Glazier Peau was the perfect final church home for him.  He was retired, and had time to devote to teaching Sunday School, working with a Prison Ministry, and leading singing/active in the music ministry (Dan Welch, our grandfather, would have especially loved this work).

Scooter was born into a family of a Mom & Dad, 3 sisters, and 1 "other brother". But he was also born into a huge extended family. That extended family included blood relatives, friends who feel like family, and of course ….as fellow Sharonites will concur….the family of others raised at Sharon.  Scooter really cared about people, made friends easily, and kept them forever.

Scooter was preceded in death by his grandparents Elvis & Velma Key and Dan & Effie Welch. And by his parents Charlie & Bobbie Key.

He is survived by his aunt Jean Whitehead. By 2 sons, Stephen Monnet & Hallie Fleck   (grandson Kaleb - granddaughter Kaylynn) Victor & Perry Dawn Monnet. He is also survived by his sisters Cherri & Lewis Roberts, Dana & Matt Mattingly, and Theresa Key and "our other brother" Alan Kesterson. And a host of nieces and nephews, plus a wonderful tribe of extended family.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 at Ashby Funeral Home with services beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Burial will follow at Sharon Cemetery.

Scooter loved God. We knew, and he knew, when he left this world he was headed to Heaven. It would give him great joy to great you upon your arrival there. If you don't have a personal relationship with the Lord, now is a wonderful time to begin one.

In lieu of flowers please make donations, per scooters request to Glazier Peau missionary Baptist Church for prison or ministry funds.