John W. King died Wednesday, January 4th, 2023, at his home in Murray, Kentucky. He was born June 15th, 1937, in Paris, Texas, the fourth of five children of Vaudie King and Ruby King. He was the last surviving member of the family, having been preceded in death by his identical twin, Jack W. King, his sisters, Margaret North and Bettie Desha, an infant brother, Bobbie King, and by his parents and stepfather, Bill D. King.
He overcame much adversity from even his first moments of life, as he was born with a broken arm into a family suffering poverty, abuse and neglect. Despite that, he always felt fortunate to have faced those challenges alongside his twin brother, Jack. The two alternately aided and kept one another in line as they were growing up and throughout their lives. They were separated from their sisters, and for a time, from one another, before being reunited as young boys and eventually spending a lengthy part of their childhood at Reynolds Presbyterian Children’s Home in Dallas. He always worked hard even as a boy, raising and selling rabbits and learning life skills at the Children’s Home that he and Jack shared in poignant and often hilarious stories. After leaving there, he worked many jobs to support himself through high school and college, including grocery sacker, convenience store operator, plumber’s helper, and many others. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1955 to 1963, serving as a Radioman who specialized in Morse Code.
But the job that changed his life forever was his rural newspaper delivery route. While making home visits to collect payments, he met and got to know his future wife, Patsy Ann McDowell, the daughter of favorite customers on his route in Lamar County, Texas. They married on June 4th, 1960, and were married for 62 years, raising four daughters through moves in four states. He consistently and lovingly credited Patsy as the most important person and supporter of his life. Having had no example to follow, he nevertheless became a devoted, supportive and loving father and husband.
With Patsy by his side, he continued his education and graduated from Paris Junior College and later, the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Business Administration. He found his calling in health care consulting and later as an administrator who specialized in turning around financially failing hospitals. That skill took him to several posts in east Texas, western and eastern Kentucky, south Louisiana and northern Arkansas. He and Patsy later moved back to their beloved Kentucky, settling in Murray in 1993, where they found a supportive community and church and never moved again.
The other love of John’s life was Texas Longhorns football, which he followed with a joyful and sometimes torturous obsession. Even in his final days, he commented on how grateful he was to have seen his ’Horns humiliatingly defeat the Oklahoma Sooners this season.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy Ann King of the home; his four daughters, Judy Phelps, Catherine Rogers and her husband Rodney, Jenny Colgan and her husband Kenny, Laura Kellams and her husband Kyle; seven grandchildren, Seth Rogers and his wife, Chandler, Nathan Rogers and his wife Abby, John Colgan, McKenna Embrey and her husband Alex, Katie Colgan, Ethan Phelps, and Allie Colgan; and five great-grandchildren, Drake, Jovi, Avery, Linnix and Greyson. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
The funeral service honoring the life of Mr. John King is set for 11 am on Monday, January 9, 2023 at First Christian Church in Murray. Pastor Chris Owens, Reverend Paige Williams and Rodney Rogers will officiate and burial will follow in Murray City Cemetery. Pallbearers include Seth Rogers, Nathan Rogers, Ethan Phelps, John Colgan, Alex Embrey, Ron Robbins.
His family welcomes visitors from 4 pm – 6 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2023 at Imes Funeral Home, 311 North 4th Street, Murray and on Monday from 9 am until the funeral hour at the church.
Please join family and friends in honoring the life of Mr. John King by visiting www.imesfh.com and posting your tributes and memories.