Roger Key, a longtime Lubbock banker and attorney whose family has deep roots in West Texas and the city’s formative years, is being remembered for his philanthropy and community service after he died Sunday.
He was 74.
Key, who was raised in Lubbock as a member of the prominent Key and Maedgen families, built a legacy of serving the community and his alma mater, the Texas Tech University School of Law.
He was a 1969 graduate of Coronado High School who earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin before coming back to Lubbock to earn his law degree from Texas Tech and launching a career in banking and law.
His brother Terry Key said Roger was a dedicated community servant who was highly engaged in his profession as an attorney and taking care of people, but who was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting – with mixed success but full enjoyment.
“Roger would hunt year-round, but I could ask him, ‘What did you bag this time?’ and he’d say, ‘Nothing,'” Terry said with a chuckle, acknowledging his brother was somewhat of a conservationist. “He would tell me he just really enjoyed going out and looking at the deer.”
In fact, Roger’s last outing over the past weekend was hunting deer on property in the Texas Hill Country, Terry said. He said his brother died after an apparent medical episode – perhaps a heart attack, according to first responders and officials who were still investigating – while driving on a private ranch road on Sunday near Ozona.
“He died while he was out enjoying what he loved to do,” Terry Key said.
A legacy of excellence in law, banking in Lubbock
Roger Key was a partner at Key, Terrell and Seger LLP and would serve as chairman of the board of Lubbock National Bank, an institution his grandfather Charles Ernest Maedgen Sr. founded in 1917, according to Avalanche-Journal archives. He also served on the State Bar of Texas’ board of directors.
Eddie Schulz, Lubbock Market President for Lubbock National Bank and Amarillo National Bank, shared a statement reflecting on Key’s impact at LNB and beyond.
“Roger was an incredible attorney and banker with Lubbock National Bank, his knowledge of banking lead LNB to many new opportunities for the bank over the years,” Schulz said. “His family had been in banking since 1917, and he continued to support the merger with Amarillo National Bank and was glad for that opportunity. He was an instrumental part of the Lubbock community in many aspects over the years, but he enjoyed banking the most. We will miss Roger’s association with the bank and support his family through this difficult time for them.”
Andy Seger, his partner at the firm for more than a decade, said Key described their operation as a “gentleman’s law firm” and called him “exceptionally good at what he did.”
“Roger’s probably a rare and dying breed when it comes to attorneys,” Seger said. “He was a third-generation lawyer and he put the ethics of the profession ahead of everything else. That man would take a bullet for any one of his clients. He loved the practice of law.
“And when you were working with Roger, anything he told you, you could take it to the bank,” Seger added.
Seger said his appreciation for Key goes back to childhood, when he grew up with Key’s three children. He praised him as a personal mentor who also demonstrated a deep dedication to his family and Christian faith.
“With all of the commitments he had in his professional life, he was a father first,” Seger said. “He was always at and prioritized events and things his kids did.”
Beyond work and family, Seger said Key was also generous and keen on giving to his community, but less keen on taking credit for it.
“He was definitely a humble man,” Seger said. “He had a strong faith and was certainly conservative, but he also believed in things like mercy.”
Jack Wade Nowlin, dean of the Texas Tech University School of Law, shared a statement reflecting on Key’s impact and legacy.
“Roger Key meant so much to this community,” Nowlin shared in the statement. “He was steady, humble, endlessly kind, and a wonderful lawyer. For decades, he gave so much of himself to Texas Tech Law and the profession, always bringing out the best in everyone around him. As a longtime member and past president of our Foundation Board, he helped shape this school in lasting ways. Our hearts are with his wife, Ann, and their family. We’re grateful to have known Roger, and we’re proud that his legacy will continue to inspire Texas Tech Lawyers for years to come.”
Roger and Ann Key were recognized for their distinguished service by Tech’s School of Law in 2009.
A profile on the law school’s website described Roger Key as a highly esteemed attorney known for his exceptional legal expertise and dedication to his clients.
“With a wealth of experience and a passion for the law, Roger has established himself as a trusted advocate in the local legal community,” reads the profile.
The law school’s profile praised Key for demonstrating a deep understanding of the intricacies of the legal system and a commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients throughout his career.
“In addition to his extensive legal knowledge, Roger is known for his compassionate and personalized approach to each case,” the profile reads. “He takes the time to listen to his clients, understand their unique circumstances, and tailor his legal strategies to their specific needs. His clients appreciate his attention to detail, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to protecting their rights and best interests.”
Beyond his legal practice, Key was an active member of the legal community in Lubbock who was involved in professional associations, community organizations and pro bono initiatives, demonstrating his dedication to serving both his clients and the wider community.
A public memorial service for Key is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at First United Methodist Church, 1411 Broadway.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Attorney, banking leader Roger Key remembered for legacy in Lubbock, Texas Tech
Reporting by Adam D. Young, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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