REV. DAVID S. KING

REV. DAVID S. KING Reverend David Shepherd King of Boston passed away peacefully on August 9, 2023, at the age of 95. Born in Sutton, MA on December 30, 1927, David was the youngest child of Arthur E. and Eunice Perry King. He is survived by his niece Cynthia E. Vanderlinden (husband Robert) and nephew T.A. King (wife Cindy), all of Sutton; grandnieces and nephews Danielle M. Ferreira (husband David) of Sutton, Laura E. King of Portland, Maine, Kathleen A. King (partner James McNeil) of Boston, Britney B. King (husband Jon Reilly) of California, Joshua P. King (wife Shannon D'Alessio) of Pennsylvania, and Jairus P. King of Sutton; great-grandnieces and nephews Jax and Ryan D. Ferreira, and Morrison and Grizzly Reilly. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Donna Macomber and her husband Edward of Orleans, the extended Macomber and Putnam families, and numerous friends. David was predeceased by his husband, Stanton Wesley Putnam, sister M. Marthena King, brother-in-law Edward S. King, brother A. Perry King, and nephew E. Perry King. David's early life was on a farm, and he graduated from Sutton High School in 1945. He briefly studied journalism at Boston University before joining the U.S. Army, where he trained at Fort Dix (NJ) and Fort Knox (KY) and was stationed in Kobe and Nara, Japan until 1948. He returned to BU, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English. He then attended the Andover Newton Theological School and was ordained in 1954 at the First Congregational Church in Amherst, MA. In 1958, he earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York. Throughout the 1950s, David was active in the World Council of Churches and the World Student Christian Federation. He served as Assistant Chaplain of Amherst College from 1954-58 and Chaplain until 1961. He founded the Laymen's Academy for Oecumenical Studies (LAOS), promoting religious faith in daily life. David played an active role in the civil rights movement and was jailed during a desegregation protest in 1963. In 1966, David and Stanton bought their first home, marking the start of a 40-year partnership, culminating in their 2007 marriage. They moved to Springfield in 1968, where David served as Deputy Director of the Model Cities Program. In 1970, they moved to Hartford, where he became Executive Director of the Center City Churches. He was also elected to the Hartford School Committee. In the 1970s, they returned to Sutton and later to Cape Cod, where David worked in elder services. He authored "No Church is an Island" in 1980 and pursued a PhD in Sociology from Boston University. In 1981, they moved to the South End, their home for 35 years. David worked at the City Mission Society until retirement, enjoying time in Truro and Miami. David officiated numerous ceremonies, was an engaged church member, a tireless advocate, and a leader in Boston's LGBTQ+ community. He had a love for history, hymns, the organ, auctions, and storytelling. He had a gift for forming deep connections with people. David will be dearly missed. Please join us for a funeral service on Saturday, September 9 at 11:00 am at Old South Church, Copley Square, Boston, and a burial service on Friday, September 15 at 11:00 am at Old Howard Cemetery, Sutton, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders) at www.glad.org. www.bumafuneralhome.com