Name: Visitation for Thomas Van Dyke King
Start: 2015-11-15T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-11-15T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

KING Thomas Van Dyke King, prominent real estate executive and civic leader died today, Thursday, November 12, 2015 at the age of 91. Mr. King, who was a resident of Chicago for over 50 years, lived on Amelia Island, Florida for the past 17 years. He was Chairman and CEO of Seay & Thomas, Inc., a Chicago commercial real estate firm founded in 1935, Chairman of Amelia Development Company, and also served as Chairman of the Board for the U.S. operations of Matra Transit, Inc., a conglomerate that constructed the people mover at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. Mr. King was associated with the Merchandise Mart Properties in Chicago for 28 years including 11 years as President of the Mart Centers. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 9, 1924, he was the son of the late Thomas H. and Lula Van Dyke King. He attended Michigan State University and received his degree from the University of Michigan where he achieved All American honors as a member of the Michigan basketball team. He won Varsity Letters in basketball and baseball at both universities. He volunteered for the U.S. Marine Corps. and served in World War II and Korea. He was discharged as a Captain. Mr. King played for the Detroit Falcons in the National Basketball Association before joining Arthur M. Wirtz Enterprises, for whom he was employed before joining the Merchandise Mart. Mr. King's active involvement in numerous civic activities gained him many honors during his years in Chicago. He served as Chairman of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Chicago, Chairman of the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau, President of the Board of Directors of Mercy Hospital and President of United Cerebral Palsy of Chicago. He was a past Trustee of John Marshall Law School, Mundelein College, the Evans Scholars Foundation, and the PGA of America Foundation. Among his business affiliations, Mr. King served as a member of the Board of Directors of the PHH Group (New York Stock Exchange) and as a past board member of the Chicago Board of Trade and Mid-America Commodity Exchange. He served on the Board of Directors of the PGA of America, as a Senior Consultant to Hill and Knowlton, Inc. and as a special consultant to the multi-billion dollar Central Station project. Mr. King was recognized in the Chicago community as one of the most dedicated civic servants and, over the years, he participated actively in leadership roles with the National Conference of Christians and Jews, The March of Dimes, Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, Variety Club of Chicago, Chicago Central Area Committee, Chicago Foundation for the Public Education, Special Olympics and The Center for Ethics and Corporate Policy. His club affiliations in Chicago included the Casino Club, the International Club, the Evanston Golf Club, the 410 Club, the Monroe Club, and the Tavern Club. He was also a member of the Empire Club of Canada and the Golf Club of Amelia Island and the Ocean Club of Amelia Island in Florida. In his 70s, King formed an orchestra The Royal Chicagoans which recorded 10 CD (Volumes I through XI of One More Time) with rave reviews. Featuring classical jazz, he played the drums and arranged the scores. He moved to Amelia Island in the 1990s where he and his wife made his new home. After settling here, they were instrumental in the founding and vision for Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Fernandina Beach. Mr. King is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Scott, former Olympic figure skating champion, who died on September 30, 2012. He leaves behind his son, Thomas Van Dyke King Jr., Winston-Salem, NC, his daughter, Shelley Jean Singleton and her husband, Frank, of Franklin, TN, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.. His family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:00 o'clock pm - 3:00 o'clock pm at Oxley Heard. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Monday from the graveside in Bosque Bello Cemetery in Fernandina Beach with Bishop Walter Grundorf and the Reverend Father Brad Cunningham, officiating. Mr. King will be laid to rest beside his wife. Floral tributes are gratefully appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1830 Lake Park Drive, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com OXLEY - HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS

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Published by Florida Times-Union on Nov. 13, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas King

Sponsored by Jacksonville.com.

10 Entries

Kurt Henning

August 17, 2017

Sorry to learn of Tom's passing. I was his bass player and "contractor" of sorts in the year or so before he started recording those CDs. He had me (and a couple other musicians that I'd bring) over to his home to play through the old jazz standards and help him get his "drum chops" back up to snuff. On our breaks, Barbara would serve us cookies and drinks and Tom would tell us great stories about his service in the Marine Corps, his drumming days in college, and even that amazing story about Dr. Algebra! Very fond memories. RIP

LuAnn Mack

March 19, 2016

My name is LuAnn, I am the youngest child of Hope Taylor, born 1928... Whom skated with your mom...I found this cool photo of Barbars Ann Scott in 1944 when she and mom were friends in Lake Placid...I will hold on to this photo for a while so if you are interested in obtaining it, please call me at 904/307-5378.. I live just south of Jacksonville and found it sad mom did not know your parents were living so close to us...I am not looking to gain anything from you but I would like to not throw away all of moms old photos....your mom is the only one of dozens, that popped right up on google...what a woman she was...I'm sorry we are losing that whole magnificent generation of people...mom passed last year...I will t y to attach photo of her 'page' in moms album....please call!!

Brian Quirk

November 17, 2015

Having known Tom as my boss, as a colleague and a friend/mentor for 40 + years, I was very sorry to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to his family during this sad time.

He was a highly accomplished business executive and leader who was very successful in every endeavor he undertook....I gained valuable experience and learned a great deal from him. In addition, his civic and charitable activities were unequaled and there was never a bigger and better booster of Chicago...truly Mr. Chicago in his day !

In these later years I knew him more as a friend who was always there to be helpful, encouraging and supportive. TVK....RIP.

Barbara Ann & Tommy Reunited together in Heaven!

Stephan Klovan

November 17, 2015

Very sorry to hear about the recent passing of Tom. I have wonderful memories of him and his lovely wife, Barbara Ann and all the glittering galas and ice skating events we shared together over the years. My deepest condolences to his family. May he RIP.

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Gina Cihak

November 16, 2015

What a GREAT LOSS of a great man who did so much for others. When he lived in Chicago we saw each other at many events. He was good friends with my boss and he never ever forgot to send me his newest CD and I loved them all and he always sent an extra one for my Dad who loved his music.

November 16, 2015

A wonderful, kind hearted man. The greatest boss anyone can have. As he would say "Heaven Is Our Home"! He is now with his beloved Barbara Ann King.......R.I.Heaven

Mike Carlson

November 14, 2015

A good man, a good boss.

November 14, 2015

Tom - It is with great sadness to hear of your passing. But I know you are happier now to once again be with Barb. You were such an elegant pair. Truly wish we could have done another session -"Just One More Time!"

Harry Goldson

Bev Power

November 13, 2015

My condolences to the King Family on the passing of your Father, Father-in-Law and Grandfather. I met Mr. King on a number of occasions when he attended Canadian Figure Skating Championships with Barbara Ann. I will remember Mr. King for his friendly, caring and pleasant manner. May he Rest in Peace.

Cynthia Caldwell

November 13, 2015

sorry to hear of this loss however know he and Barb are now reunited..HUGS! ( love the copies of the CD's he so graciously sent me over the years)

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