John E. King Jr.

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Dec. 1, 1936 – Dec. 11, 2011

NATCHEZ — Services for John E. King Sr., 75, who entered into eternal rest Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, surrounded by his loving family, will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Denny and Noelle Read officiating.

Burial will be at Carson Hill Cemetery in Ellsinore, Mo.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Mr. King was born Dec. 1, 1936, in Birmingham, Ala., the son of John E. King Sr. and Mary Etta King.

John was engaged to be married to Barbara Wilcox who lovingly cared for him during his long illness. His children will be forever grateful to her for the love and care she gave their father.

John was proud to be a U.S. Marine and served a number of years in the National Guard following his active duty. He graduated from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide) with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He became a certified public accountant and worked in capacity in Alabama until relocating to Houston, Texas, where he began his career in the oil and gas business, eventually serving as vice president of land at Halbouty Energy. He later moved to Natchez to work for Callon Petroleum. He stayed with Callon until his retirement in 2009.

John has always been eager to serve not only his country, but also his church, community and children’s organizations. He was an ordained deacon in the Baptist church until moving to the Presbyterian church where he was installed as an elder and also served as church treasurer. Active in Boy Scouts since he was a boy, John earned his God and Country and Eagle Scout. Remaining active throughout his adult life, John was honored with the prestigious Silver Beaver Award for his dedication to the Boy Scouts.

John was also a dedicated Mason, presently serving as Junior Warden, Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 2 and Past Master, Harmony Lodge No. 1. He was both a York and Scottish Rite Shriner and current member of Wahabi Temple Shrine in Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia; one brother, Roland; and two grandchildren, Toby and Danny.

Survivors include two sons, John and his wife, Pam, and their son, Josh, and David and his wife, Maria, and their sons, Patrick and Daniel; one daughter, Michelle, and her husband, Scott, and their children, Kristin, Kevin, Jackie and Robert; one great-grandson, Zachary; his special pet, Sweetie; and a number of friends and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shriners Hospital, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.