George L. King, 85 entered into his eternal glory on July 9, 2012. George was born on February 15, 1927 in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas. He was the last child of seven children born to William Jefferson King and Myrtle Julia Hunt. George was a gentle spirit, yet he had a wisdom and strength like few others. He exhibited a passion for His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and through this faith raised his family. George held various jobs as a young man—paper boy, delivery truck driver, and surveyor’s assistant. He joined the Merchant Marines as a senior in high school and participated in WWII efforts in the South Pacific. In 1945, George enlisted in the United States Army as a telegraph operator. His loyalty and steadfast service was rewarded with a promotion to the rank of Communications Chief. George was awarded the Philippine Independence Ribbon, the Army of Occupation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
After being honorably discharged in 1947, George worked as a railroad telegraph operator and then was hired by Southwestern Bell as a telegraph repeater man. It was here that he met telephone operator, Alene Graves. Alene and George were married on August 31, 1949 in Lubbock, Texas. In 1951, George was recalled to active duty and was sent to Ankara, Turkey to assist in the Joint Military Mission for Aid to Turkey as a Teletype Supervisor. He was promoted to Sergeant after developing communication procedures and instructing Turkish Teletype Operators. While George was in Turkey, his first son, William Alvis King was born. George received a third honorable discharge and soon made a home in Lubbock, Texas. He and Alene continued to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. In 1957, David Glen King was added to the family, followed by the birth of Elizabeth Diane King in 1960. George steadily increased his skills within the communications area and was soon moving toward becoming a communications engineer.
In 1967, George and Alene completed their family with the addition of John Jefferson King. George was soon promoted and transferred, first to Dallas, Texas and then to San Antonio, Texas where he assisted in pioneering the cellular telephone system. In 1983, George was transferred to Richardson, Texas to assist in bringing the cellular telephone into service. In 1994, George retired to become a RV enthusiast enjoying many adventures with his sweet wife and becoming members of a local Avion Travel Club. George served as President for two terms. Then in 1999, his bride was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer—losing her in 2001. Shortly before her death, George was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Following the successful removal of the cancer, George and his daughter Elizabeth built a small hobby farm—Cedar Pond Farm. He loved using a Kubota tractor to plant trees, plow the garden, and maintain his acreage in Fairview. He planted a prairie garden and enjoyed watching the Saanen goats foraging the property.
During his retirement years, George and Alene’s family continued to grow with the addition of 14 grandchildren and as many great grandchildren. Then in 2007, George was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. After a pulmonary embolism, George was instructed not to shave. As his beard grew, Great Grandpa King, as he was lovingly titled, fought many infections in his diminished lung. In March 2012, George chose to have the remaining diseased lung removed. The risk was high, but he wanted to take the chance in feeling better, to tell stories to his grandbabies, ride his tractor, and above all else once again be a part of his beloved Sunday School class. He accepted the risks. Over the last six weeks, George fought to get his strength back and beat the odds up until his death. He took his Savior’s hand at 5:50 p.m. on July 9, 2012 surrounded by those he loved and respected—his children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, pastors, friends, nurses, and doctors.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 15, 2012 at Cornerstone Baptist Church of Lucas, 2242 West Lucas Road, Lucas, Texas with Rev. Dennis George and Rev. Jim Everidge officiating. Interment will follow a brief graveside gathering at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Saturday, July 14, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas.
The family encourages you to make a tribute donation to the American Cancer Society in lieu of a flowers.