John King

John Douglas King of San Diego, California, passed away on March 13, 2025, at the age of 90. He spent the last few days of his life surrounded by his extended family and friends.

John was born in England, to Douglas S. and Mary Carpenter King on June 1, 1934. He spent his earliest years there but was sent to America prior to the outbreak of WW2. He lived with his grandmother Annie Haines Carpenter in Georgia where he attended school.

John graduated from Oglethorpe University in 1956, in Atlanta. After graduation, John married Marilyn Holder, with whom he had two children, Doug and Lynn.

John married Shirley Spencer in 1971. By doing so, he gained four more children: Linda, Alan, Pamela and Gary.

He had a long career in the Navy, serving God & country for 21 years. He served on the USS Saratoga and the USS Midway. In 1972 John was stationed at China Lake Naval Weapons Center. In 1975, John was assigned to NATO, stationed in Oslo, Norway. In Summer of 1977 John retired from the US Navy and moved to San Diego residing in Scripps Ranch.

John worked at SAIC and also attended USIU where he earned a doctorate degree in business administration June 1980. He taught courses at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, primarily in California. John and Shirley also moved to Burwell, England for two years, where he continued his teaching. Once back in San Diego, John and Shirley joined what became Christ the King Church, where they were involved in ministry.

For many years John was a very active volunteer with the American Red Cross, serving others by responding at many local and national disasters.

John had many interests, he loved to travel, skiing, learned to play the harp, and collected many gnomes from around the world.

John was preceded in death by Shirley, his wife of 49 years, and by his first wife of 14 years, Marilyn.

He is survived by a large family - Linda Cowle, Alan Redman, Doug (and Pam) King, Pamela (and Ron) Resch, Lynn (and Joe) Thomas, and Gary (and Traci) Redman. His ten grandchildren, James (and Sidney) King, Cassidy (and Andy) Corley, Stephen Ayres, Aislinn Ayres, Jason (and Laura) McElveny, Devin (and Monique) Melvyn, Dana Resch, Nikki Resch, Thomas (and Kira) Redman, and Spencer Redman; seven great-grandchildren, Ada King, Allison (and Oscar) Molina, Daniel McElveny, Diego McElveny, Aiden Lopez, Sullivan Corley and Cormac Corley; and one great-great-grandchild, Natalia Rose Molina.

The Burial Service will be at 10:00AM on March 27, 2025 at Christ the King Church, 12730 Elm park Lane, Poway, CA 92044.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Red Cross.

John will always be remembered by his family & friends.

He will be laid to rest in at Miramar National Cemetery on March 27, 2025.