Morris D. "Bud" King

Morris D. "Bud" King East Leroy Morris D. "Bud" King, 83, of East Leroy, Michigan passed away peacefully Thursday, July 19, 2012 at his home with his family, following a battle against cancer. He was born on July 24th, 1928 in Battle Creek, MI, the son of Edward and Chatfield Lewis King. A resident of Hickory Corners, Michigan for more than 20 years, Bud was gifted in his ability to work with his hands and was employed by Eaton Manufacturing Company in Springfield, MI for more than 30 years as a machinist. He attended the W.K. Kellogg High School where he excelled in math and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the spring of 1946 where he was awarded the World War II Victory medal and served honorably as a fireman first class on several destroyer class battleships until his discharge in 1948. Upon his return from service, he married Donna Dell Brown, to whom he was married for 25 years. Bud loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He especially enjoyed deer hunting, bringing home many deer over the past 62 years and walleye fishing at Onaman Lake with his best friend C.C. Barton. His family and friends will attest to the fact that when the snow turned to rain, Bud /Morrie was either in his vegetable garden (which was always filled with the bounty of his hard work) or he was watching Detroit Tiger baseball on television. In October 1978, he married Patricia Flanders with whom he enjoyed nearly 20 years of marriage in their East Leroy home. He is survived by a sister, Miami Besser of Eustis, Florida, his family Douglas and Cathy King, Indianapolis, IN, Rick and Sue Markus King, Hickory Corners, MI, Robin and Randy Robbins, Hickory Corners, MI, Bill and Sandi Wise, Battle Creek, MI, Gene and Linda Anderson, Battle Creek, MI, Bill and Sharon Brace, Watkinsville, GA, David and Bev Flanders, East Leroy, MI, and Rick and Trish Flanders, Mesa, AZ, 26 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he dearly loved. He was preceded in death by his wives Donna and Pat, his parents, daughters Pattie Houtman and Teri Anderson, brothers Vernon and Edward King and sisters Geri Metzger and Doreen Stewart. Visitation will be held Sunday July 22, 2012 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Spencer Family Funeral Home in Athens. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday July 23, 2012 at Spencer's with Pastor Jeff Worden of the Hickory Corners Bible Church officiating. Burial will follow at 12 noon at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the American Legion in Hickory Corners. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society c/o Pattie's Pals. Arrangements by Spencer Family Funeral Home, Athens. www.spencerfamilyfuneralhome.com