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JACK KING
Lt. Col. Jack A King (U.S. Army, retired) of Tyler , Texas died
Tuesday, March 30, 2010, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in
Harlingen, TX. He was 82.
Jack
was born February 28, 1928 in Granite, OK, the son of Julia Pearl
(Smith) and James Robert King. He attended public schools in Apache
and Duncan, OK before attending Oklahoma State University,
graduating in 1954 with a degree in history. While attending
OSU he met Bette Lawver who became his wife Sept. 6, 1953.
Jack
was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army in January
1953. During a military career that spanned more than two
decades, he served his country as a pilot and administrative
officer. He served in Iran during the early days of the Cold
War, and served two combat tours in Vietnam. He was also
stationed in Germany, Texas, Washington, Georgia and Alabama.
Among his many military honors, he was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross and Bronze Star (three awards).
After
he retired from the Army he joined the Texas National Guard, serving
with the adjutant general’s office. After retiring from the
National Guard he worked as a pilot for an independent oil company.
Jack
loved playing golf. He also enjoyed woodworking and square
dancing with his beautiful partner, Bette. The couple spent their
retirement years traveling throughout the United States.
During those many travels they discovered a community of Winter
Texans in Harlingen who became an extended family and provided great
comfort and support during his final years. As deteriorating
health prevented him from doing many of the things he once enjoyed
he was an avid reader and sudoku master.
He
was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Jo Fischer; a
brother, James King Jr.; brothers-in-law, Fred Fischer, B. J. Bauer,
Gene Bloomer and Alan Evans; a nephew, James King III; and a great
nephew, Shannon Seidel.
He
is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bette; three children: Karin
(Chris) Clark, David (Elizabeth) King, Jacki (Jeff) Weersing; six
grandchildren, Casey and Celeste Clark, Blakesley and Christian
King, Jake and Nick Weersing; his sister, Jean Bauer;
sisters-in-law: Billie Bloomer-Evans and Donna King; many loving
nieces, nephews and many more relatives who loved and cared for him.
Throughout
a valiant battle against cancer, he inspired many people with his
courage and determination. His family asks that memorial
contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.
A
memorial service will be held Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at
the First Christian Church in Seiling. Inurnment will follow
at the Brumfield Cemetery with full military honors. Services
are under the direction of the Redinger Funeral Home in Seiling.
Due to work schedules, distance or other
circumstances, it may be impossible for you to sign the guest book
during visitation or at the memorial service. To accommodate you,
we offer this on-line service which allows you to send private
condolences to the family. Simply type your name and address, type
your condolence message and click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of
the obituary. Your message will be sent to the family via our
secured guestbook. Only family members will have access to viewing
your message.
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