Ray Thomas King
October 2, 1920 - July 30, 2022
Ray Thomas King, age 101 of Tyro, AR, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Chenal Pines Retirement Community in Little Rock where he and his wife Patricia resided. He was born October 2, 1920, in Tyro, AR to the late Ernest and Grace King.
As a young man, Ray worked for the Civil Conservation Corps and was a pipeline welder. He was an airline mechanic for Catalina Flying Boats, American Airlines and Boeing Aircraft Company. He also worked in maintenance at Burlington Mills. In addition, he was a logger and cattleman and enjoyed reading, gardening and woodworking. He was a proud World War II United States Army Veteran and a member of the Christian Church.
Ray's service to his country began in August of 1944 during World War II in Company B 194th Glider Infrantry, 17th Airborne Division, and was a volunteer paratrooper. His decorations included the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Campaign Ribbon with 2 bronze stars, good conduct medal, Army of Occupation Ribbon (Germany) Victory Ribbon, 1 overseas service bar and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He served in the Rhineland Central Europe Campaign with occupation specialties as a rifleman, cook with the 325th Glider Infantry and Mess Sergeant. He also served in the postwar effort in the Enlisted Reserve Corps in Aircraft Assembly. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Emma Victoria (Vicki) Truman; two brothers, Johnny King and Ralph King; and one sister, Olive Clark.
Ray is survived by his wife, Patricia King of Little Rock; children, Ray King Jr. (Denise) of Hagerman NM, Mark King (Sandi) from Oologah, OK, Linda Marcum (Ron) from Harrison, John King (Luisa) from Plano, TX, and Rebecca Hupp (Michael) from Little Rock, 20 Grandchildren, 34 Great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren; and sisters: Frances Hale of Brandon MS, Paula Jean Tredwell of Wichita, KS and Joann Drake of San Antonio, TX.
Funeral services with military honors will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Chuck Ball officiating. Burial will be in Tyro Cemetery on Hwy. 54 in Tyro, AR. You can sign Mr. Ray's guestbook page at www.stephensondearman.com.
Obituary Provided By:
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello, AR 71655
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