James Harlan KING

JONES, KING, BODEMAN, FETTERS, THOMAS, MATHANY, JOHNSON, OLSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/8/2011 at 00:04:43

OBITUARY ~ JAMES HARLAN KING
July 29, 1927 ~ September 26, 2011

James Harlan KING, son of Willard Benjamin and Edna Mae (JONES) KING, was born July 29, 1927 on a farm near Indianola, Iowa. He graduated from Indianola High School in 1944. James worked the harvests for 2 years with his brother, Dale. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950.

On March 15, 1951, he was united in marriage to Myrtle Lee BODEMAN at the Avon Christian Church near Carlisle, Iowa. James was stationed in Korea.

Following his discharge, James lived in Des Moines. It was during this time that he began his career in the propane business. While in Des Moines, their first child, Gary, was born. They soon moved to Carlisle where Ross, Randy, and Lori would be born into the family. James, Myrtle Lee, and the children would move as the propane companies advanced him and needed him. He became a plant manager and excelled at prospering and managing the business that he was assigned to. The family lived in Keokuk and Mount Ayr before James was assigned to Baldwin, Michigan where they lived from 1980 to 1989 when he retired, making Mount Ayr their permanent home.

James enjoyed watching tractor and horse pulls. He had and enjoyed a large garden. He loved being outdoors. During the summer, you would see him sitting on the front porch waving to every car that drove by. James was a great cook; a skill he tapped upon while in the US Army. Family was important to James and he was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa. He had a gift of conversation and 'never knew a stranger'. He will be remembered as a jokester and kidder; witty and good humored.

James passed away at his home in Mount Ayr on September 26, 2011 surrounded by family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Myrtle Lee; daughter Lori Jean KING; grandson Adam Lee KING; sisters Lois FETTERS and Alberta Florence THOMAS; brothers Earl KING and Dale KING.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children Gary Harlan KING & wife Donna of Grant City, MO, Michael Ross KING & wife Gerry of Mount Ayr, Randy Lee KING & wife Janine of Shawnee, KS, and Sarah Marie MATHANY & husband Wes of Mount Ayr; grandchildren David, Lori, Daniel KING; Michael, Jamie, Ryan, and Joey KING; Brien JOHNSON; Carson and Brayden MATHANY; 5 great-grandchildren and 2 more soon to be born; sisters Vera COPE of Carlisle, IA and Nadine OLSON & husband Richard of Wisconsin; sisters-in-law Jeane KING of Indianola and Betty KING of Milo, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial fund is established to the Mount Ayr Assembly of God Church.

Services were conducted at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Saturday, October 1, 2011, with Rev. Doug ROHRER officiating. Musicians included Nancy SACKETT, Mary DAVENPORT and Margaret BICKERS.

Casket bearers included David KING, Daniel KING, Ryan KING, Joey KING, Jamie KING and Brien JOHNSON.

Honorary pallbearers were Michael KING and Lori BEINOR.

Military rites were by Ringgold Post #172 and Iowa Honor Guard Unit.

James was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.

Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

SOURCE: hosting-24708.tributes.com/show/james-king-92437291

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2011

Ringgold Obituaries maintained by Tony Mercer.
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