Helping Families and Friends Honor Their Loved One

Thomas “Tommy” King, age 81

On Friday, August 16th, 2019, Thomas “Tommy” King, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 81. He was born March 15th, 1938 in Fayetteville, West Virginia to the late Henry Olen and Ora Jane (Tincher) King.

Tommy proudly served in the United States Air Force as a fireman from 1955 to 1976, having tours in Texas, Vermont, Montana, Washington State, Thailand, Korea, Germany, and Little Rock Air Force Base, where he retired. After retirement, he worked for the Zeiler family liquor stores, and they became like family to him.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Tommy loved spending his free time outdoors with his family and friends. His favorite fishing spot was on the Little Red River, where he taught his sons to out fish him. He was an integral part in creating Matt Trail Hunting Club in SW Arkansas, with his longtime hunting buddies Rick Roedel, Rip Dempsey, the late Frank Ray, and the late Chuck Wade. He truly loved the club and all its members, and he will be missed dearly by them all.

In 1984, Tommy had a diving accident that left him a quadriplegic. With a great deal of grit and determination, and with the support of his family and friends, he beat all the odds and learned to walk again; returning to work, going fishing again, and even hunting again with his buddies at deer camp. He was a very compassionate man, taking time to talk to other spinal cord injury patients, giving them encouragement and hope.

Tommy was very kind and considerate, and he never met a stranger. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He also had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, and his pranks and joking demeanor that defined him will be greatly missed by all that were lucky enough to have had the pleasure of knowing him.

Tommy is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 59 years, Hannelore “Ann” King; sons Thomas “David” (Rhomie) King, Ricky King, and bonus son Klaus (Dora) Pelkman; twin sisters Judy Lewis and Joan (Morris) Nutter; grandchildren Caitlin (Ben) Thrash, Ethan (Casey) King, Sydney King, Emily King, Laura (Matt) Thomas; great grandchildren Adeline “Addie” Thrash, Collin and Cooper Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends to carry on and honor his memory.

The family will host a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas. 501-982-3400

8 Comments

  • John Jansen Posted August 21, 2019 3:01 PM

    Love and miss you uncle Tommy

  • Stephanie McAllister Posted August 21, 2019 5:44 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss.

  • Brenda Sgromolo Posted August 21, 2019 7:24 PM

    So sorry for all of our loss! He was one of a kind and always had a smile and a prank to pull off! We will miss him dearly1

  • Rick Roedel Posted August 21, 2019 10:30 PM

    I’ll miss him. Tom and Frank were a riot at camp.

  • Robin Meyer Posted August 22, 2019 7:28 AM

    My Uncle was a blessing in my life!! He was so loving he always called me his little Birdie!! One of his favorite sayings instead of cussing was Cheese and Crackers! I still have memories and pictures of our family Reunion in Penguin forge!! Memories of my Uncle will forever stay close to my heart and he will never be for gotten!! RIP Uncle Tommy I know you are in Heaven with your Mom and Dad I love you and miss you!!

  • Debie Grimm Posted August 22, 2019 2:48 PM

    You always smiled and laughed! You will always be with me in my heart Uncle Tommy! I love you and miss you so much!

  • ELSA & Hal Posted August 22, 2019 7:01 PM

    We will miss You , Tommy

  • Jana O’Dell Posted August 27, 2019 12:38 PM

    Ricky, David and family,

    We were sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Prayers for peace and strength to get through this time.

    Jana & Steve O’Dell

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