Jimmy Richard King

DUNCAN - Jimmy Richard (Jim) King, 77, husband of Novyce Carter King, passed away July 2, 2011, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home after a battle with cancer. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, grandfather, and friend.

A native of Westminster, SC, he was born on May 17, 1934 to the late Levis Franklin and Cynthia Elizabeth (Bess) Owens King. He was a graduate of Westminster High School and Clemson A &M College, Class of 1956. He retired as plant manager of Spartan Mills after working at Startex Mills.

Mr. King was a former member of North Spartanburg Rotary Club and Startex Ruritan Club. He was an Explorer Scout leader and a Little League baseball coach in Startex. For many years, he was the leader and president of the SC Chapter (Support Group) of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. He was a Clemson Golden Tiger and a member of IPTAY. For fifty-three years he was a member of Startex United Methodist Church. He loved his family, his friends, and his co-workers at Startex and Spartan Mills; and he made a difference in their lives.

In addition to his wife of fifty-nine years, Novyce, he is survived by a daughter, Cynthia Elaine (Cindy) K. Kirby; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard Carter and Mary Anna Abercrombie King; a son-in-law, Miguel (Mike) Gonzalez; a granddaughter, Kaci Maria King; two grandsons, Stephen Barton (Stevie) Kirby II and Jimmy-Clifford Winkler (J.C.) King all of Lyman, SC; a sister, Joyce K. Collins of Westminster, SC; mother-in-law, Bernice Moore Carter of Hemingway, SC; and brother-in-law, Travis L. Carter of Hemingway, SC; four nieces, one nephew, and many cousins.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Allison Maria K. Gonzalez; a grandson, Michael Gonzalez; a brother-in-law, Walter Collins; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Carter.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at Startex United Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. Richard Lewis and Rev. Robin Griffeth.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Kirby II, Miguel Gonzalez, Christopher Carter, Stu Babb, Jerry Smith, Mike Crenshaw, and Brad Brietz.

Honorary escort will be David Turner, Keith Turner, Stephen Kirby, Ralph Bennett, Raymond Cothran, and Lewis Tucker.

The family will receive visitors from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday prior to the service. Interment will be at Westwood Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Startex United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 130, Startex, SC 29377.

The family is at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Mary Anna King, 335 Tyger Ridge Lane, Lyman, SC 29365.

The King family deeply appreciates the care and support of Spartanburg Regional Hospital and Hospice Home, the love and prayers of family and friends, and the mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father. "We will think of him as faring on, as dear in the love of there as of here."

Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com