Charles Edward “Ed” King, age 98, passed from this life on the evening of April 28, 2024, at his home in Dallas, Texas. He was born to Daniel Wylie King and Dovie Galena Petty on July 23, 1925, in Cumby, Texas. He was the ninth child of eight brothers and two sisters. His mother passed away in childbirth with the youngest son and Ed’s sisters, Lila Faye and Florene, were instrumental in raising the brothers, Otho Fred, J. Carl, Oscar Bailey (O.B.), Daniel Wellington, James Sidney, Ed, and William Cicero. The other brother, Henry Wylie King, died at an early age.
In July of 1944, just after graduating high school, Ed enlisted in the army, joining four of his brothers in defending America. Ed trained at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas and disembarked for the war from New York aboard a ship bound for Marseille, France with two destroyers surrounding the carrier as escorts. He was immediately thrown into action at the height of World War II. As part of the 42 nd Infantry, code named the “Rainbow Division,” he saw combat throughout Germany, infiltrating Nazi Germany and helping liberate Dachau Concentration Camp. He earned a Bronze Star Medal, an EAME Campaign Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, a 42 nd Infantry Division Good Conduct Medal, an Army of Occupation Ribbon, and a 25 September 45 Victory Ribbon. This generation has come to be known as the “Greatest Generation” because of their commitment, consideration, gentility, sacrifice, and honor – all traits that Ed embodied.
When he returned home from the war, Ed met Juanita Marcene (Reagan) King, the woman who would become his wife and steadfast companion for sixty-nine years. Together they raised three daughters, Linda Gail, Sheila Dianne, and Deborah Leigh. After the war, Ed and four of his brothers, O.B., Dan, Sydney, and Carl worked at the Ford Motor Company becoming known as the “Five King Brothers.”
Ed and Juanita loved to camp, boat, waterski, and travel throughout the United States. He preferred to be outdoors and “doing something” – whether it was planting a garden or raking the yard, he was always active. He slowed down on the more strenuous activities as he moved into his “older years” but if there was something to be done or fixed, he wanted to do it himself.
Ed was predeceased by Juanita in September, 2017, and by his brothers and two sisters in earlier years. He is survived by Linda Gail Jones, her husband, Douglas M. Jones, Sheila Dianne King and her son Gavin Fields, Deborah Leigh Algood and her husband, Bill Algood, and their children Don Thomas Algood, Eric Daniel Algood, and Stephen Anthony Algood, and his great-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Alex, Justin, Levi, Alura, Jennifer, Jonathan and two great- great-grandchildren. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews scattered across the United States including those close by – Roy and Yvonne King, Kenneth and Nancy King and Glyn and Karen King.
Services will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at Murray-Orwosky, 876 Wildcat Way, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
