Johnny King

Johnny Leroy King was born Friday, February 13, 1953, to Leroy and Frances “Betty” King, in Savannah, GA. On Friday, February 13, 2026, he closed his eyes and woke up in the arms of Jesus. He was 73.

He attended Chatham County schools, graduating from Savannah High. After graduation, he worked for a short time at Instaprint as a printer before joining

the police academy and becoming a police officer for the city of Savannah.

He married the love of his life, Vickie Crosby, June 4, 1977. To give his family a new start, they moved to Reidsville and Johnny began his career with the Georgia Department of Corrections at Georgia State Prison. He retired in 2001 after 24 years.

During his early years in Tattnall County, Johnny became affiliated with the Reidsville Recreation Department, where he played softball for many years, umpired, and coached t-ball, baseball, and eventually football with Curtis “Moose” Barnard and Steve Dupree. He was influential in the lives of many children through the years. As a founding member of the Trash Can Tiger Booster Club, he helped ensure that children who wanted to play ball had the opportunity, no matter what obstacles they may have faced.

Later, alongside one of his best friends, Jackie Trim, he became the Voice of the Warriors, and their “comedy show” was broadcast on WRBX 104.1 in Reidsville. They covered football, baseball and softball games, home and away, for almost 30 years. Although basketball was too fast paced for the radio, it didn’t stop them from sitting at the far end of the court cheering on the Warriors.

He and Trim traveled thousands of miles over the years and loved every minute of it. They provided countless hours of play-by-play and endless entertainment for listeners all over southeast Georgia. Some fans even listened to them on the radio while they were at the game to get the full effect.

Johnny loved Tattnall County Warrior athletics and every player to ever step foot on the field or court. He, Coach Hugh Yaughn (who also became one of his best friends) and Trim were known as the Three Amigos and you could bet when they were together, stories were told and memories were made!

Aside from his love of local athletics, he was an avid Georgia bulldogs fan who never missed watching a game. When his children were young, he loved to hit golf balls in the big field across from the prison. When all the balls had been hit, the kids would lay down across the tailgate in the back of his little Nissan truck and pick the balls up as he drove through the field. They loved it and so did he. Thus their “work smarter, not harder” mentality was born.

From coach, to umpire, to broadcaster extraordinaire, Johnny’s love of all things sports was evident to all who knew him. His declining health eventually made it impossible for him to climb the stairs necessary to get to the press box and that broke his heart. He loved his side gig at WRBX and getting to share his love of the game with his buddy, Trim, and not being physically able to continue to do that took a toll on him. However, it never stopped him from going to cheer on the Warriors whenever he was able.

As a husband, father, and grandfather, he was the best of the best! He loved his wife more than anything and his expressions of love set the tone for his children when they got married and had their own children. They followed his example, giving their spouses and children the same love they had been shown throughout their lives. He doted on his family and was so proud of every accomplishment. No matter how insignificant it seemed to them, he made it feel like their greatest achievement!

He was a deacon at Pine Grove Baptist Church of Reidsville, where he loved spending time with his fellow church members, especially third Sunday when they had lunch together. He looked forward to Mrs. Polly’s dumplings, Kelly’s potato salad and Mrs. Carolyn’s meatloaf and cucumber salad. Everything else was an added bonus. More than the food, he enjoyed the fellowship with his church family.

Johnny will be remembered for his kind and loving spirit, his sense of humor, dedication to the Trash Can Tigers and Warrior athletics and his love and loyalty to his friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Betty King; special uncle and aunt, Johnny “Buck” and Flora “Betty” Stuckey; cousins, Susan and Johnny Stuckey, Jr.; and best friend, who he considered a brother, Ronald Stanfield.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Vickie Crosby King; children, Chris and Kim Stuckey of Pooler, Michele and Travis Rapp of Reidsville, John “Bubba”and Daina King of Statesboro and Carrie and Matt Clark of Reidsville; grandchildren, Katelin (Jordan) Johnson, Christian Stuckey, Ava King, Emma King, Camden Rapp, Caleb Clark, Carter Clark, Charlie King, Parker Stuckey, Madison Stuckey; great grandchildren, Jovi Lane Johnson and Atlas Kent Johnson; bonus grandchildren, Brooke (Calvin) Cobb; bonus great grandchildren, Brynley Cate Cobb and Calvin Gene Cobb III “Tripp”.

“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” Babe Ruth - The Sandlot

Although his physical body has passed away, the influence he had on so many will live on forever.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 11:00am with the funeral services to follow at 1:00pm from the Reidsville Pine Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Jeffery Barnard officiating. Interment will be in the Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Travis Walker, Troy Walker, TJ Walker, Andy Benjamin, Jonathan Stanfield, Camden Rapp, Caleb Clark, and Carter Clark.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Trash Can Tigers, former and current Warrior Athletes.

Memorials may be given to Fostering Bulloch 7th Mile Farms, 7431 GA Hwy 46, Statesboro, GA 30458 or Hugh Yawn Booster Club Scholarship Fund; 1 Battle Creek Warrior Boulevard, Reidsville, GA 30453.

Low Country Cremation and Burial has the honor to serve the King family.