Gene King

Graveside services for Mr. Gene King, 80 of Wisner, LA will be 2 PM Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at King's Cemetery Wisner, LA with Rev. James McMurray officiating, under the direction of Dennard First National Funeral Home Winnsboro, LA

Gene, a member of New Living Way Pentecostal, was a professional musician and cattle farmer. He was born in Wisner, LA to the union of the late Allen K. King and the late Alice Herron King and he went to play music on the other side of Jordan Saturday, January 10, 2026, Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and his son Jason Allen King.

He is survived by his wife Heather Dungan King, mother-in-law Nita Boothe Floyd and husband Don: aunt, Vicki Boothe: sister-in-law Shana Sutherlin and her son Remington: brother-in-law Todd Dungan and wife Martha, cousins Anna King Tibbet and husband Shawn, and Wesly King and numerous cousins, and close friends.

Louisiana's legendary music man Gene King has worn many hats: guitarist, band leader, radio host, singer, songwriter, producer and entertainer, Gene King has spent his life bringing music to the masses, at home and around the world. The story begins in Winnsboro, Louisiana, where Gene was born in 1945. As a child, Gene remembered dragging his guitar across the cotton fields to join the other worshippers at King's Pentecostal Church, a congregation that still meets on the land donated by Gene's father.

As his experience as musician grew, Gene built a reputation for himself playing various shows, from the "Voices of the Catahoula" to The Goldmine in Winnsboro, all the while working as a Disc Jockey at KCTO at Columbia, Louisiana. Gene even spent summers working at the Delta Village Amusement Park in Tallulah, headlining the band there.

As Gene's musical reputation grew, he formed a band called The Goldminers. He caught the attention of important booking agents in Hollywood. A turning point in Gene's career came when he got the call to back Grammy award winner Jody Miller and Hee Haw host Roy Clark at the State Fair on Louisiana in Shreveport as well as the State Fair in Baton Rouge, The Queen of the House Jody Miller was so impressed with Gene's musical prowess that she hired Gene to be her Lead Guitarist and Band Leader. From the early 70's to the early 80's. Gene traveled and played guitar for Jody at major fairs, casinos, rodeos, festivals and even on some of her television appearances. In fact, Gene went so many miles in the air, while working for Jody Miller, that Delta Airlines of Monroe, gave him the title of "Flying Colonel"!

In the early part of the 21st century, Gene's reputation as an excellent Band Leader opened doors for many opportunities to headline at various Louisiana events. including the Louisiana Cavalcade and also several political events such as the inaugural celebration of Governor John Bel Edwards.

Perhaps Gene's most lasting musical legacy to his beloved Louisiana is his work organizing and presenting family friendly entertainment through The Delta Opry in Ferriday, Louisiana for eight years and for his leading The Franklin Opry at The Princess Theatre in Winnsboro, Louisiana for thirteen years. Gene King has brought the best in local talent, both new and experienced, to the stage. From the Catahoula Country Show to the Wembley International Country Festival in England, Gene King has made his mark, as a world class musician, all the while staying loyal to the music-loving people of Louisiana. One of his most cherished recognitions was when The Northeast Louisiana Music Trail honored him with a marker placed in his hometown of Wisner, LA and his induction into the Northeast Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Gene was never known to promote his own career; however he wanted to promote local talent and share the opportunities he had been given. He was truly a Musician's Musician, and his musical legacy will never be forgotten.

Online registry/condolences at www.dennardfirstnational.com.