John Paul King, 90, of Louisa, KY, died on September 11, 2023. John was born June 18, 1933 in Floyd County, Kentucky as the youngest of nine children of the late Johnnie and Clara King. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven of his siblings: Sarah Elkins, Joe King, Bill King, Dolly Senters, Gladys Hatcher, Olgia Layne and Roxie Justice. He was also preceded in death by a son, Paul Bernard King.
John Paul was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He retired as a fire safety officer from Kentucky Power but spent most of his working life as a laborer on numerous construction projects. He helped build roads, hospitals, dams, power plants and steel mills. He also worked in auto assembly plants. He was formerly a youth baseball coach who made a positive influence on the boys he coached and others he encouraged. He helped many friends and neighbors in quiet ways, taking care of handyman tasks for widows and even digging graves for the loved ones of his friends. He was known to many people in the community for sharing the abundance of his garden vegetables—tomatoes, corn, green beans and other produce–that he masterfully grew each year.
His survivors include his wife Lois Stewart King, daughter Donna King (Mitch) Perry of Louisville, KY and son Bobby (Tammy) King of Indianapolis, IN. He is survived also by four grandchildren: Ryan Perry of Los Angeles, CA, Sarah King of Palo Alto, CA, Annie King of Washington, DC, and Caroline King of Indianapolis, IN. He is also survived by his brother, Albert King of Harold, KY.
The family would like to thank the many friends and family who expressed their love for John Paul throughout his life and especially in his final days. They would also like to thank the staff at Three Rivers Hospital in Louisa for the kindness of their care.
Rather than a funeral service, the family will welcome visitors at the chapel of Young Funeral Home in Louisa on Sunday, September 24 from 2 pm to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief through the Fort Gay United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 444, Fort Gay, WV 25514.
