Thomas Jefferson King, Jr.

 

Mr. Thomas Jefferson King, Jr., 91, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023. He transitioned peacefully in his home, whilst holding the hands of his daughter, Gina White, and favorite granddaughter, Michelle Thomas Williams. Known by “Tom” or “T.J.” by friends and family, he spent his earliest years in Mobile, Alabama to his most recent times in Bermuda Run, North Carolina. After Tom served in the Korean War with the Air Force, he traveled for work throughout the years, specializing in radio communications and writing manuals for the latest technologies, like one of the most cutting-edge land-line phones. His retirement from AT&T after 45 years of service left him in Bermuda Run, where he was active in the annual (former) Crosby & Hospice Golf Tournaments and enjoyed weekly evenings at the Country Club for Bingo and other events. 

Tom was an avid Auburn University Alumni, and a long-time “transplant” UNC Chapel Hill fan (thanks to his late fanatical Tarheel wife, Gay Swaim King). Sport activities and celebrations were part of his life, often attending games or viewing parties with friends, laughing and cheering the night away! Gardening, reading, and spending time with family are other hobbies and favorite pastimes.

In addition to his late, loving wife, Tom is preceded in death by all of his 9 siblings, along with parents and other family members in Alabama. Beyond his daughter and granddaughter, he is survived by family members Randy Harris, Janice Myers, Joyce (Swaim) Ring (Lawrence), Kevin Burton, Kelly B. Smart (Michael) and their children, his prized great grandchildren Miles & Theo Williams, plus beloved “adopted” family in caregiver Anne Bodford. He had many other special friends and family, being loved by and loving so many. The family wishes to thank Hospice Home Care for all they did to make his end of life very comfortable and peaceful.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00pm on Friday, June 2nd, at Forsyth Memorial Park. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com.