James E. King

James E. King, age 91, of Grants Pass, died Sunday, August 17, 2014 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Services will be held at a later date. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

James was born August 6, 1923 in Maywood, Missouri to Albert & Gladys (Wilson) King. In 1940 he graduated from high school in Sherrard, Illinois where he played on the football team and were Illinois state high school football champions. From 1943 to 1945 during World War II he served in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific theater. In 1948 he married Jean Keehner. He worked as marketing representative for Blue Cross/Blue Shield group sales in Iowa and Minnesota and retiring in Arizona in 1998. In 2002 he moved from Phoenix to Grants Pass.

James was a 32 degree Mason and was a member of the Lion’s Club and Toastmasters. He volunteered with youth in both his church and sports.

His hobbies included cutting firewood, family logging, burning slash, and playing cards, pool and ping pong.

Survivors include his former wife, Jean King of Kansas City, Missouri; a daughter, Julie Kovich of Kansas City, Missouri; a son, Joel King of Grants Pass, Oregon; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Wilma Bergstrom and Stella Adamek.