Carl King

Carl King, 87, of Waco, passed away Friday, January 13, 2012 at his residence. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2012 at OakCrest Funeral Home with Pastor Dennis Whitmore and Rev. Don Cannata officiating. Visitation with his family will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 19, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Born November 5, 1924, Carl was most recently a resident of Waco. He graduated from West High School where he played basketball and was known as the One Man Track Team, earning membership in the West High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended Texas A&M University on a track scholarship before serving in the South Pacific from 1943 until 1946, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal from the US Navy. He also attended Baylor University on a track scholarship after his service to our country. Mr. King lived in Las Vegas for 23 years and before that was a long time resident of Hitchcock, Texas where he raised his family and retired from Union Carbide. His favorite pass time was collecting everything from antiques and bottles to coins, documents, rocks and shells to, as some would say, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Carl and his wife, Dorothy were reunited after 67 years, having been high school sweethearts and married June 26, 2010.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Peggy Dean Ballard King; his great granddaughter, Olivia Claire Mooney; his parents, Samuel J. and Lottie King of West; and his brothers and sisters, Josh King, John King, Hershel King, Callie King Hudson, Eva King Baese and Ethel King Johnson.

Carl is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy Stallings King of Waco; daughters, Cynthia Ann Swain and husband, Gerard of Austin, Trudie Lee Myers and husband, Carey of Dayton, Maryland, Sammie Elaine Mooney of League City and Terry Lou Smith and husband, Ernest of Santa Fe, Texas; and his sister, Ruth King Bryan of Waco. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Noah King Hansford and wife, Renee, Arthur O. Evans IV, Rev. Jett Daniel Smith and wife, Evelyn, Zachary Thomas Mooney and wife, Rachel, Kelly Jean Mooney, Joseph Randal Smith and wife, Carolyn, Matthew Thomas Myers and wife, Elizabeth, Carl Allen Smith and wife, Stephanie, Courtney Lee Myers, Catherine Ballard Myers, Elizabeth Glenn Breeding, Rebecca Lynn Breeding, Mark Andrew Smith and wife, Mercy, James Vaughn Smith and wife, Hayley, John Pennington Smith and wife, Naomi, Samuel King Smith and April Swain; and great grandchildren, R. Lauren Hansford, Hilary Katherine Hansford, Sophie Louise Mooney, Luke Thomas Mooney, Oliver King Mooney, Julia Rose Smith, Jenna Ashley Smith, Calvin Austin Smith, Amelia Jane Smith, Aaron Austin Smith, Owen Ernest Smith, Keith Hugh Cartwright Smith, Claire Marie Smith, Carl Allen Smith Jr., Louis John Frederic Smith, Matthew James Smith, Olivia Kandace Smith, Charlotte Phoebe Smith, Cameron James Smith and Alexander Timothy Smith.

All of Carl's friends and relations are honorary pallbearers because each one meant so much to him. Each offspring and every acquaintance felt most special and blessed by his attention, love, good nature and humor.

The family wishes to thank Yarnell, Mekesha, Lauri, Dennis and Debbie of Providence Hospice for their kind and loving care for Mr. King.

In lieu of floral arrangements, contributions to your charity of choice would be appreciated.