Joseph L. King

1942 - 2025

Joseph L. King
August 7, 1942 - May 19, 2025
Joseph L. King, 82, of Somers, formerly of Vernon, best friend for over 10 years and loving fiancée of Jane Thomas of Somers, passed away peacefully, with Jane at his side, on Monday, May 19, 2025. Joe was born on August 7, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, a beloved son of the late Joseph Elliott King and Katie Elizabeth King.
He was raised in Los Angeles, attended local schools and was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Class of 1960. During his high school years, Joe was an active musician and enjoyed playing and singing at several venues around Los Angeles. In his later years he earned a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph University.
Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1961 and proudly served his country as a Fuel Supervisor, having earned the rank of SSGT. He then joined the CT Army National Guard and later the Air National Guard and continued his service to his country for a total of 36 years. He was honorably discharged in 2002, having earned the rank of Command Chief MSGT.
Joe was employed as an Assistant Vice President with Cigna Insurance Company for over 27 years. He was a longtime member of Church of St. Luke in Ellington and more recently attended Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Bernard Church in Rockville. He was very active in his community. Joe served on several committees for the Vernon Rails to Trails and the Friends of Valley Falls.
Joe was a longtime member of the singing group, Irish To the Last Drop. He loved to travel the world and spend time with family and friends. He was also known to be an avid Chess player that would have no mercy on his competitors. Joe's commitment to his savior, Jesus Christ, his country, the community and to his family and friends was very important to him. In addition, he was just a truly "Nice Man" and will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
In addition to his fiancée, Jane, he leaves his daughter, Jenee King, and his sister, Josette Milner and spouse, Herve all of Los Angeles, CA, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Joe also leaves Ginny's niece and nephew from Tennessee, Rebecca Ehmling and spouse, Allen and their two children, Amelia and Miles, and Richard Boyd and spouse, Donna and their two children, Noah and Ethan. Other survivors include Jane's children, her daughter, Judy Boucher and spouse, Tim of Vernon, her son, Timothy Thomas and spouse, Heather of Ellington, her daughter, Laura Behrendt and spouse, Jody of North Carolina, her son, Christopher Thomas of Florida, their families and his longtime close friends, Tom and Dottie Curtiss of Ellington. In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his wife, Virginia "Ginny" King.
All are welcome to join his family at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road, Vernon, CT 06066 for calling hours on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Bernard Church, 25 St. Bernard Terrace, in Rockville. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery, Rockville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish at www.blessedsacramentct.org or to Tunnels to Towers at www.t2t.org To view Joe's Mass online or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com