HAROLD WINIFRED KING

PLEASANT HILL - Dr. Harold Winifred King completed his earthly journey in the early morning hours of January 15, 2024. It was his 91st birthday. The youngest of twelve children, he was born in Harrisonburg, LA, in 1933 to George E. "Manny" King and Jody Anderson King.

After graduating Harrisonburg High School, Harold immediately entered the U.S. Air Force, serving for four years. While serving in the Air Force he made the decision to become a dentist. He attended Louisiana State University with financial aid from the GI Bill while working part-time as a chemical analyst at Dow Chemical to support his family and his studies. At the beginning of his Senior year at LSU, having completed all required studies for enrollment, he was accepted into Loyola University New Orleans School of Dentistry. Harold decided to forgo his Senior year at LSU, opting to use the remaining funds of his GI Bill to begin dental school. He graduated from Loyola in 1963, receiving the highest scholastic achievement in his class and all deserved honors and recognitions involved. Through the years he was a member and office holder in local associations including the NW Louisiana Dental Association, the Ark-La-Tex Academy of Dentistry, and the Ark-La-Tex Bass Club.

Dr. King loved practicing family dentistry and was proud to have several three generation families as his patients. He enjoyed swapping stories of his favorite hobbies of fishing, gardening, and LSU football and basketball with his patients, who were also his friends. It was not unusual for his office to be overflowing with produce from his garden to share with these friends. Spending over fifty years doing what he loved, he retired in 2014 to his sanctuary, Molar Ridge Farm in Logansport, LA, to garden and fish, having lived his life serving others.

Known as the "Crawfish King," for his expertise in boiling crawfish, he delighted in hosting his annual boils long before it was "the thing to do in North Louisiana." Boy, could he boil some good crawfish and fry up some mouthwatering fish!!!

Harold is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sandra Mary King of Pleasant Hill, LA, three children, Bruce Harold King (Kayla) of Shreveport, LA, Kenneth Ray King of San Franciso, CA, and Dawn M. King (Cathey) of Shreveport, LA, stepchildren Suzie Wise Simmons (Ricky) of Converse, LA, and Mary Beth Wise Hoolihan (Charlie) of Mandeville, LA. Also surviving him are seven grandchildren (Ryan Walther, Katie McGowen, Ricky Givens, Laya King, Trey King, Cameron King, and Kyle King) and seven step-grandchildren, plus seven great grandchildren (another on the way), and two step-great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death are his mother and father and eleven siblings; former wife and mother of his children, Sue Wilson King; daughter, Pamela Sue King; son, Douglas Wayne King; and stepson, Doyle "D.J." Wise.

The family expresses its everlasting gratitude to faithful, caring sitters, Ricarda "BB" Carlisle and Carla Paddie. Thank you for loving our loved one and your endless games of dominoes and cards. Thank you to the caregivers at Mansfield Nursing Center, DeSoto Regional Health System, and St. Joseph Hospice.

As were his wishes, a graveside service for immediate family will be later. Donations honoring Dr. King may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital or charity of your choice.