Roll Call Tribute

Published in the Beaumont Enterprise on Feb. 18, 2017

Carl L. King
1924 - 2017 On February 15, 2017, an extraordinary, ordinary citizen left this life to be with the great God that created us all. He was not a public figure, celebrity or professional athlete, but he was an extraordinary soldier, husband, father and friend. His life exhibited those things that mark the very measure of men. Carl L. King was born on January 28, 1924 to Carl C. King and Maud Granger King in Beaumont, Texas. As a son growing up in the Great Depression he experienced many of the hardships of that period. In his case it forged a willingness to help others, a strong Christian ethic and excellent discipline. He excelled at Beaumont High School and became one of the youngest members of his high school class to enter Texas A&M in the fall of 1940. In January of 1943, his school days at Texas A&M were interrupted by induction into the U.S. Army. He became a proud member of the 417th Field Artillery Battalion attached to the 7th Armored Division in General Patton's 3rd Army. He earned a Bronze Star and four battle stars in action in Normandy, France, the Battle of the Bulge and Germany. Returning from the devastation of war in Europe, Carl married Betty Allen King in 1946. Together they had four children. After Betty's death in 1982, he remarried Mary Harmon King in 1983 until her death in 1992. He was a devout Christian and an active member at Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaumont for many years serving in several functions and providing transportation to elder members. For the last seven years he lived in Deer Park, Texas with his daughter Carla King Cothran and son-in-law Lynn Cothran. He is survived by his children, Allen H. King and wife Lynda; Carla Cothran and husband Lynn Cothran; Richard King and wife Diane; Julie King, sister Mary Albright, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Graveside service will be held 11:00AM Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, Texas. Family will receive family from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday at Deer Park Funeral Directors, 336 E. San Augustine, Deer Park, Texas. The world is a lesser place without Carl King to serve as an example of a life well lived, but our loss is heavens great gain. Rest in peace you extraordinary, ordinary man.