Frederick Jenks King Jr. died surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, May 4, after a ten-year battle with prostate cancer. Fred is survived by his wife, Margaret Bess “Peggy” Nead, and by his sister, Katharine Havard King Bingham of West Palm Beach, Florida. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Semmes Walmsley King, and sister, Carolyn Doan King; by his nephew, Nicholas Havard Bingham; by his parents, Frederick Jenks King Sr. and Augusta Walmsley King; and by his grandparents, Thomas Semmes Walmsley and Julia Havard Walmsley.
Fred was born in 1945 and for several years of his youth lived in St. Francisville, LA., at his family’s home, the Cedars. Fred returned to New Orleans to attend Jesuit High School for two years, then continued at Georgetown Preparatory School, from which he graduated in 1962. He completed his undergraduate education in 1966 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He subsequently received his Juris Doctor degree from Tulane Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1970.
Fred served since 1973 as lead attorney for Tulane University’s Legal Assistance Program, or TULAP. In this capacity Fred rendered invaluable service and became a friend and ally to innumerable students and other members of the university community.
After having practiced law as a sole practitioner for decades, he encountered an impressive attorney named Carolyn Cooper who in fact, created an opportunity with Fred to add a new dimension to his practice. Referencing Carolyn, Fred was known to often say “After my wife Peggy, Carolyn was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
As a student at Georgetown University Fred first experienced rowing, which became for him a life-long enthusiasm. At Georgetown Fred rowed in Olympic trials, and as a member of the Potomac Boat Club rowed in numerous regattas and national championships.
Arriving back in New Orleans to attend law school, Fred did not immediately find a rowing club and plunged into other athletic pursuits, including serving as a coach on Tulane’s women’s soccer club. He was one of the founders of the Tulane Rugby Football Club, with which he competed widely around the country.
Soon Fred connected with the New Orleans Rowing Club and resumed his rowing career. He served as president of the club for several decades. Fred has raced throughout the United States, in Canada, Northern Ireland and Monaco. He coached for the New Orleans Rowing Club and was proud to assist with the Tulane University Crew. In the course of his extensive rowing career he won seven gold medals, five silvers, and a bronze. Fred also continued throughout his life to meet and row with his team members from Georgetown days.
Of great interest to Fred was racing Irish currachs, a traditional Irish boat. He raced in currachs in Ireland several times, including rowing for Inis Mor, in the Aran Islands inter-island race. In addition Fred raced in currachs on Lake Pontchartrain, and donated a currach, named the “Archbishop John Carroll,” to the Louisiana Celtic Nations Foundation.
Fred also was an avid photographer, and served as president of the New Orleans Photographic Society.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at noon on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Interment in Metairie Cemetery will follow the noon service. The family of Fred King is grateful for the care given by the staff of the Tulane Cancer Center and in particular, the dedication and friendship of Dr. Oliver Sartor and his team. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tulane’s cancer research. Make tax deductible contribution payable to: “Tulane Cancer Center”, with memo line “Sartor Research.” Mail to: Dr. Oliver Sartor, 1511 Dufossat St., New Orleans, LA 70115.
To sign and view the Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com
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