Denver Lee King

Denver Lee King, 72, of Kingsport, was called home Monday, September 17, 2007, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born in Sullivan County to the late Willie C. King and Nellie Cox King and had resided here all his life. Mr. King retired from Allstate Insurance Company following 31 years of service and was a member of Vermont United Methodist Church. He was a lifelong United Methodist Man, was UMMen District and Conference President in the Holston Conference and the Southeastern Jurisdiction President. While president of SEJ, he built two starter churches using UMMen volunteers from the SEJ. Denver was chair for the Men?s National Congress, held at Purdue, where he and Danny Morris conceived the Upper Room Prayer Line that UMMen agreed to fund. The prayer line remained Denver?s passion. He was elected National Prayer advocate and as such, raised thousands of dollars for the prayer line.

Other organizations in which Denver was involved include a member of the Kingsport Masonic Lodge #688 where he was past master having received his 32nd degree. He was also instrumental in the shoe program for Needy Children through the Masons. He was a member of Scottish Rites KCCH 32nd degree, all York Rite bodies, Eastern Star past patron, and Jericho Shrine.

An infant brother, George William King, and nephew, Ellis Dykes, Jr. preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Hazel Simpson King, Kingsport; one daughter, Debbie Martinez and son-in-law, Chuy; three sons, Tim L. King and daughter-in-law, Denise, Martinsburg, West Virginia, Donnie King and daughter-in-law, Barbie, The Woodlands, Texas, and Jeffrey King and daughter-in-law, Robin, Church Hill; eight grandchildren, Tiffany, Christina, Julia, Brandon, Rachel, Sydnie, Travis, and Wesley; one sister, Eula Massey and husband, George, Kingsport; two brothers, Kyle D. King and wife, Dorothy, Blountville, Eddie King and wife, Darlene, Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. Bill Cahill, Pastor David Salley, and Rev. Dan B. Kelly officiating. Masonic Rites will be conducted by Kingsport Lodge #688. Burial will follow at Emory United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Shriners Crippled Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greeneville, SC 29605 or United Methodist Men Foundation, 1000 17th Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212.