Steven B King

Steven B. King, 66, of Kissimmee, Florida, passed away on May 12, 2023.

Steve was born on Jan 9,1957, to Theodore (Ted) and Joan King in Littleton, NH. His family relocated to Hot Springs, AR when Steve was five years old. He attended Lakeside High School in Hot Springs where he was a star student and athlete. Upon graduating from Lakeside HS in 1975, Steve was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, CO. where he was a member of the USAFA water polo team.

Steve was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the USAFA graduating class of 1979. Steve became an Air Force pilot and retired after 27 years as a Colonel. During that time, he served in varying positions in the Air Force across the United States, Europe, Philippines and Afghanistan. He was a command pilot with more than 3,900 hours flying helicopters (HH-53E), tactical airlift (C-130E) and tanker aircraft (C-141). Following his Air Force retirement in 2006, he worked for Booz Allen Hamilton until his second retirement in 2016.

Steve is survived by his wife Arlene (Col, US Army, retired) whom he met when they served at the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Steve and Arlene were married for more than 20 years, blending their families when they got married in 2002. He is also survived by his stepson Darryl Beatty (Mary Ellen), his daughter, Sara King, his son, Adam King (Emily), his grandchildren, Declan and Amelia Beatty, his mother Joan King and many loving siblings, nieces, and nephews. Steve was predeceased by his father, Theodore King.

Steve was an avid athlete. Basketball, swimming, and cycling were his passions. An ardent cyclist, Steve bicycled twice across the U.S. and down the Pacific Coast with America By Bicycle. He also swam the Maui Channel Swim, an open water relay, and participated in the Hawaii marathon and several triathlons throughout the years. He and Arlene pedaled their tandem bike six times in the Hotter 'N Hell Hundred event in Wichita Falls, TX. In retirement, Steve spent his time playing with his grandchildren and cycling, swimming, and participating in community events. Always willing to give back even after his 2017 injury, he established SolAbility, a group for those with disabilities, in his retirement community, Solivita.

Services will be held at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3880 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee, FL on June 14 at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Christian Activity Center in East St Louis, Illinois (540 N. 6th Street, East St. Louis, IL 62202) the organization Steve was cycling to raise money for during his last cross country bike ride in 2017. Donations may also be made to St. Rose of Lima in Kissimmee.