James Lafayette King, Jr

James Lafayette King, Jr. (Jim, J.L.), 90, Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

He was born January 29, 1926, in Knoxville, Tennessee to the late James L. King, Sr. and Maggie Elizabeth Apple King. He grew up in Knoxville attending Moses Elementary, Tyson Jr. High, and Knoxville High School. He graduated from Knoxville High School in January 1944. While there he was a Senior Class Director, Senior Class Treasurer, member of the National Honor Society, member of the Hi-Y, Captain of Company D in the ROTC, a member of the track team and basketball B team. King entered the U.S. Army in March of 1944, serving in the European Theatre of Operation during World War II, receiving the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Bronze Star, the ETO ribbon, European Victory Medal, the European Occupation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He returned home from Europe in June 1946 and entered University of Tennessee where he graduated from both the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Law, receiving A.B, LL.B, and J.D. degrees. He was a member of the U. T. track team his freshman year. He passed the Tennessee Bar Exam and was admitted to the Tennessee practice of law in 1952. He went to work with the U.S.F. & G. Company where he later became manager of the Kingsport, Tennessee office. After retiring from the U.S.F. & G. Company he worked with the State of Tennessee as a Worker's Compensation Specialist and Rule 31 Mediator. He retired from the State in 2001 and from the practice of Law shortly thereafter.

King was elected a record 10 consecutive times to the Sullivan County legislative body where he served over 41 years (9 years as a member of the Old County Court and 32 years as a Commissioner on the Board of County Commissioners). His first election was in May 1969 when a federal lawsuit ordered the Sullivan County Court to be reapportioned, winning by one vote. The numerous committees and positions he served on during that time included Chairman of the Legislative and Judicial Committee, Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Control Committee, Vice Chairman of the Safety (Sherriff's) Committee, Secretary of the Education Committee, member of the Commerce (Road) Committee, Sullivan's Representative to the First Tennessee Area on Aging Advisory Council, member of the committee that put together the County Code, Vice Chairman of the Budget Committee, member of the Executive committee, Vice Chairman of the Administrative Committee, member of the Chairman - Vice Chairman Committee, liaison member of the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman from the Sullivan County Commission, Vice Chairman of the Insurance committee, member of the Sullivan County Industrial Commission, the building Committee, the Bays Mountain Commission, the Tri-City Airport Study Committee, the Solid Waste Committee, the Sullivan Youth Home Committee, the Historic Preservation and Tourism Advisory Board, Chairman Pro Tempore of the Sullivan County Commission, and Acting Chaplain of the Sullivan County Commission. He was named as a Sullivan County Commissioner Emeritus in 2013.

King was a candidate for State Representative in the 1976 Republican Primary and a candidate for the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman in 2001.

He served on the First Tennessee Area on Aging Advisory Council and was named as a honorary member. He was appointed by Governor Alexander to the Tennessee Commission on aging where he served for 6 years.

He had been a member of the American, Tennessee, and Kingsport Bar Associations. He was a 60 year Mason, a Life and 60 year member of the American Legion, a Life and 60 year member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a Life 50 year member of the Kingsport Sertoma Club and a past president. He is a former Kingsport Jaycee and a former member of the Moose Lodge #972. King served on the board of directors of the March of Dimes, the Sullivan County Bicentennial Committee, the Kingsport Citizens Advisory committee and the Advisory Board of the Kingsport Speech and Hearing Committee. He served 6 years on the Tennessee Eastman Community Advisory Panel, the Board of Governors of Kiwanis Towers, the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce Tax Study Committee, the Legislative Affairs committee of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Contact Concern, Gideon's, Bays Mountain Association, and the Historic Knoxville High School Alumni Association.

He was active in scouting serving 3 years as Cub Master of Pack 54, a member of the Troop committee of Boy Scout Troop 250, 3 years as Chairman of Cub Scout Adult Leaders Training of the Warriors Path District, A Unit Commissioner, Commissioner of the Cub Scouts of Warrior's Path District and a merit badge advisor.

King had been a member of the Methodist church of 75 years. He was originally a member of the Second Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a member of Mafair United Methodist Church where he had served as a Sunday school teacher for over 50 years. He had served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Council on Ministries, member of the Board of Trustees, President twice of the Mafair Methodist Men, a Lay Speaker, a lay member of the Holston Annual Conference, and President of the Kingsport District of the United Methodist men.

He liked reading (especially history, biography, and current events), collecting books, classical, folk, and Christian music, travel, and sports. He was a dedicated Tennessee sports fan. He first became interested in U.T. sports as a boy scout when scouts served as ushers at Tennessee football games. He recalled being lucky in being able to see all the home games of the great 1938, 1939, and 1940 football teams as a boy scout.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James L. King, Sr. and Maggie Apple King; his grandson, James L. King, IV; and his great-grandson, Gage Armitage King.

King is survived by his wife of 61 years in April, Georgia Alvis King, who he loved dearly; son, James L. King, III, and wife, Sheila; daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Walling and husband, Greg; granddaughter, Valerie King Everroad and husband, Heath; granddaughter, Heather Walling Hale and husband, Jeremy; grandson, Phillip Walling and wife, Sarah; grandson, Heath Walling; great-grandsons, Levi Everroad, Jared Everroad, and Gabriel King; great-granddaughter, Marley Everroad; great-grandson, Henry Hale; brother, Albert Lee King and wife, Gail; brother-in-law, Oscar B. Alvis, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Louise Dickson and Mary Ellen Alvis; and several nephews and nieces.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at Mafair United Methodist Church. The service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Kim Goddard officiating.

The graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Oak Hill Memorial Park with military honors conducted by The American Legions Posts 3/265. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mafair United Methodist Church, 1409 E. Center St., Kingsport, TN 37664.
A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save
and fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will!

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