John O. King, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away on December 8, 2023. He was born in New Edinburg on September 26, 1931, to Hilton and Cora Huddleston King.
After serving in the Army during the Korean War, John returned to his first job with an Arkansas Power & Light construction crew. Thanks to the GI Bill, he was then able to complete both the BS and MBA degrees that were needed to move to a new career in education. After 10 years of teaching business courses at Arkansas A&M College and obtaining a Doctor of Business Administration degree at Mississippi State University, he made the move to Southeastern Louisiana University where he taught and mentored business students for 30 years. During that time, he served as a teacher, department head, and Director of the MBA program, but he always made time to help the students.
Ultimately, John was given the Southeastern Louisiana University President's Award for Faculty Service, which said "Whether it was to discuss a project for his class, hash out next semester's class schedule, provide career counseling for after graduation, or simply reassure a high-strung graduate student with a casual visit. King was always accessible, approachable and helpful."
Service to the Lord was always a priority in John's life. For many years he taught Sunday School classes and provided any possible service to his church. After retiring, his study of the Bible culminated in writing the book "Paradise to Paradise", a Bible summary that he hoped would help others understand God's will. Even in the Assisted Living facility where he lived during the last years of his life, he contributed by teaching Bible Study classes.
Moving on to heaven, John leaves behind his daughters, Annette King and Tanya King and his son Wesley King; his grandchildren, Jonathan King, Megan King and Alexandra King; and his brothers James and William Mike King.
ln addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosa Nell Crosswhite King; his second wife, Mary Costanza King; and his brothers, Robert King, Ray King, and Cecil King.
Friends and family were invited to the visitation in Conway at Roller McNutt Funeral Home on Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 12:30-2:00 p.m., followed immediately by funeral services at 2 p.m.
Additional services will follow at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 2000 N. Morrison Blvd, Hammond, Louisiana 70401 on Saturday, January 13, 2024, from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m., with a Memorial Service at 1 p.m. Inurnment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery Mausoleum in Hammond, La.
