Jon C. King Sr.

KING, Jon C., Sr., 75, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer on August 11, 2021, at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana, surrounded by loved ones. Jon was born in South Bend, Indiana on May 25, 1946. He was blessed to be born in the infamous clan of the King Family, wherein he was the son of Inez and Leroy "Buckshot"; and brother to Leroy Jr., Eugene, Jimmy, Ricky, Brian, Larry, Leslie and Connie. A national merit scholar, Jon graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1964 and eventually entered the United States Air Force in 1965, after employment with the United States Postal Service. Jon's world widened beyond measure upon entering the military, which took him to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, England and the Philippines. He served as an airplane mechanic for four years during the Vietnam War and then for the NSA for three-and-a-half years. After his service overseas, the military offered Jon a supervisory position in a new division involving computer systems analysis at the White House. Upon reflection of that time in his life, Jon once said, "That time of my life was fascinating. Absolutely fascinating. The kind of thing a little black boy from South Bend, Indiana would rarely get to see." After completing his service in the military, Jon reentered civilian life and enrolled in the one and only Howard University in Washington, D.C. He began his professional life in banking and was employed with Bankers Trust in New York City and served as Vice President of the trust division of Hibernia National Bank and Crestar Bank. Jon then began a career in the employment staffing industry. Jon and his wife, LaVerne ran Exclusive Staffing of Virginia together every day for 28 years, building the company into a powerhouse staffing provider for several Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. When asked what he attributed to the company's success, he stated, "My wife, LaVerne. Without a doubt, man." Jon was also a strong leader in the City of Richmond, readily offering his time on the following boards: Industrial Development Authority, Maymont Foundation, Greater Richmond Chamber, First Market Bank, Venture Richmond, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Council for Economic Education, Richmond Performing Arts Alliance, Bon Secours Health System and the Black History Museum & Cultural Center. Jon was also a member of the Management Round Table. Jon was literally the most "even" man a person could know. In a world of nasty sound bites and quick tempers, Jon always maintained a constant cool that was unmatched. He certainly lived up to his nickname "Sugar" with his affinity for sweets. He loved his family, music and rib tips from Frankie's BBQ which, at his request, would be shipped to him from South Bend, Indiana to Richmond, Virginia, faithfully by his sister, Leslie. Without a doubt, the phrase, "They don't make them like that anymore," applies to Jon. He will be forever missed. Jon is survived by his wife of 46 years, LaVerne Parker King; son, Jon C. King Jr. (wife, Lana); daughters, Courtney and Cherrie; grandsons, Sebastian, Christopher (wife, Jocelyne), Cameron; great-grandson, Xavier; mother, Inez Mildred King; brothers, LeRoy (wife, Linda), Eugene, Jimmy (wife, Nyoka), Ricky, Brian, Larry (wife, Karen); and sister, Leslie; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Chester King Sr.; and sister, Connie King Topps. A Celebration of Life will be held August 28, 2021 at 4 p.m. at the Free People of Color Museum, 2336 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana. Flowers can be forwarded to the Free People of Color Museum or donations may be made to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.