John Lewellyn King

GREENSBORO — Dr. John Lewellyn King, died Friday, March 18, 2011 as the result of a severe fall sustained on March 4. He died peacefully, surrounded by friends and family, and supported by the excellent staff and physicians who cared for him in the Neurology Intensive Care Unit at Moses Cone Hospital.

Professor King earned his PhD in Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After a brief stay at the Rockefeller University in New York City, he joined the Philosophy Department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1974. He taught and encouraged students at UNC-G for 37 years and was not enthusiastic about the idea of retiring because he loved teaching.

Professor King's areas of specialization, both in teaching and research, were logic, philosophy of science, and the theory of knowledge. He was an early proponent of using computer programs in the classroom, and recently developed on-line versions of several of his courses. He also raised funds for some of the first computers in classrooms in the Guilford County school system. Professor King was the long-time advisor for the Philosophy Honor Society, Phi Sigma Tau, and he helped to establish the UNCG branch of the society. He worked with pre-Law students and Philosophy majors going on to graduate school, and was very proud of those who succeeded in reaching their goals. He helped to develop and was the faculty leader of the Department's award-winning "Great Conversations" lecture series. The Philosophy Department has plans to create a philosophy library in memory of Professor King, and will honor Professor King during its annual Excellence Day event, on April 13 at 5 p.m. in the Faculty Center on the UNCG campus.

John is survived by Dr. Anne Bryson King, his wife of 43 years, their daughter Jennifer King, her husband, and their two children. He also has one brother, two sisters, and many nephews and nieces. Everyone will greatly miss his love and ability to make them laugh.

Dr. King is also survived by thousands of students whose minds he enriched, and by friends and colleagues grateful for their time with him, for his capacity to make everything humorous, for his kindness and warmth, and his willingness to help others. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held later in the year in Illinois.

Contributions in Dr King's honor, if desired, can be given for the Schwirck Award at UNCG or to the charity or scholarship fund of your choice. Donations may be made out to UNCG with "Roger Schwirck Award in memory of John L. King" on the memo line, and mailed to the Philosophy Department at UNCG. This annual scholarship is administered through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is awarded to Philosophy Department majors who demonstrate excellence in the field of Philosophy.

For additional information, please contact the department at Philosophy Department UNCG.

The family is sincerely thankful for the many expressions of support during this difficult time.

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This obituary was originally published in the News Record.