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King Bostrom Obituary
March 21, 1941 - October 13, 2014
Raleigh
King Oscar Bostrom, Jr., 73, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2014 in the company of his loving family at his home in Raleigh, NC.
He was born on March 21, 1941 in Wilmington, NC to King and Margaret Bergeron Bostrom. He spent much of his youth in Wilmington enjoying the waters near Whiskey Creek. He graduated from Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC in 1960. After high school, he attended N.C. State University where he received a BS degree in Textile Technology and Design.
King was a proud member of the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi where he served as president in 1964. He enjoyed a lifetime of camaraderie built at Sigma Chi and is part of this Everlasting Shrine of Friendship. The White Cross of Sigma Chi has gained new luster by his life.
King joined the Marine Corps in 1966 and faithfully served as a Marine aviator flying the F-4 Phantom. As a Captain in the US Marine Corps, he loved his country and was "one of the few" and "the proud"! He served with honor and distinction and flew almost 200 missions in the Republic of Viet Nam and Laos. King earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and a number of other awards. He flew missions on what is now immortalized in the movies as "Hamburger Hill". He was a Marine right up to the moment he went on his last flight to Our Lord and probably was in full burner all the way....that was the way he lived his life.
Discharged in 1971, "Semper Fi" continued to hold great meaning to him as many lifelong bonds were forged in Vietnam. King was an Officer, a Gentleman of the South, and a true Patriot.
Following the war, he embraced his entrepreneurial spirit and returned to his love of marketing and sales of designer men's clothing. After many years of successful retail ventures, he retired in 2002 to his roots in Wilmington, NC.
King will forever be remembered for his sharp wit, faithfulness to friends, and the daring nature to be willing to take a risk on something or someone he believed in.
He was preceded in death by his father, King Oscar Bostrom, Sr.; mother, Margaret Bergeron Bostrom; sister, Margaret "Peg" Bostrom Todd; and his faithful black lab, Kyna.
King is survived by Dianne Bostrom of Cary, NC; his son, King Oscar Bostrom, III, and spouse, Angie of Cary, NC; his grandson, King Oscar "K.O." Bostrom, IV; his brother, William Jack Bostrom, and spouse, Susan of Raleigh, NC; and his nieces and nephews, Angela Bostrom Smith of Clearwater, FL, Eric Bostrom of Marietta, GA and Cassell Todd Hodges of Lufkin, TX.
The family wishes to express a special thanks to Otis Adams and Mary Evans for their loving care, as well as the team at Heartland Hospice. May God bless you all.
A memorial service will be held at White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary, NC at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 18, 2014. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the memorial service from 1:00-1:45pm.
A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 11, 4601 Park Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Condolences may be left on King Oscar Bostrom, Jr.'s online guest book available through brownwynnecary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for King Bostrom
Warren Mainella
June 11, 2015
Semper Fi King my sympathies to the King family. King And I were in the same platoon at OCS
November 3, 2014
Farewell to the King, Phantoms Phorever. LtColonel Vernon R. "Maddog" Maddux
Eustaquio (Pete) Quinones,Jr
November 1, 2014
We flew together in primary flight school and later in Viet Nam.You were the greatest fighter pilot I had the pleasure of flying with.God loves you and now you are with Him.You will be missed.
Alpha Company, 4th Platoon, 41st OCC
November 1, 2014
We served together at OCS in 1966 in opposite squad bays on the same deck in the brick barracks by the river.
The members of the 41st Officer Candidate Class are truly sorry we were not able to locate King in our searches for our Reunions.
Lionel Raymond
41st OCC A-3
Weldon Waites
October 29, 2014
To Kings Family: I learned of King's passing this week. He was a longtime friend from Columbia South Carolina. We became reacquainted while he lived in Charlotte. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Weldon Waites
Mike Stenhouse
October 21, 2014
King and I have been friends since we were 18 - pledge brothers, fraternity brothers, room mates, and friends ever since. We have shared our triumphs and tragedies. Our stories have ben intertwined. I will miss him I know, but I have many memories to reflect on. For that I am grateful.
October 19, 2014
KING--I AM A FRIEND OF YOUR MOTHER DIANE. I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR FATHERS PASSING. IT IS HARD TO LOSE A PARENT. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU, DIANE AND FAMILY
SINCERELY BJ AND KAY BESANSON
Britt price Koester
October 18, 2014
Diane and King, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. King was a wonderful friend, father, uncle and grandfather!! Always so generous and kind. My prayers for peace and comfort are with you all.
October 18, 2014
Semper Fi!
Joe Turner
Harry Pridgen
October 18, 2014
King was a true friend and will be missed. May he RIP.
Marylea Byrd
October 17, 2014
Diane and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. For more than 40 years I have valued King's friendship and will miss his crazy sense of humor. However, it makes me smile to think that he and Byrdman have been reunited. I'm not sure that heaven will ever be the same.
October 17, 2014
We remember how close you and your Dad were, King, and wanted you to know that you, your Mom, and your Family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat and Hilda Price Raleigh, N. C.
Diana Walden
October 17, 2014
I always loved the brave spirit of King. My love to the family. Diana walden
John Williams
October 17, 2014
King will truly be missed. I met him at DAV.My condolences to the family during this time of grief.
October 17, 2014
King and I were friends for over forty years and had a lot of good times together. We shared a lot of memories and stories. My wife Janice and I will miss him and his friendship. Our deepest sympathy to Dianne, King III, Jack and the entire family.
Roy and Janice Jones, Wilmington, NC
Bob Eakins
October 17, 2014
One hell of a good guy. Enough said. My sympathy to all
Mary Katherine Wiggs Satterwhite
October 17, 2014
King was in my high school class at Broughton and he and I were very good friends. I liked King very much and I am keeping his family in my prayers.
October 17, 2014
Our heartfelt sympathies to King's family on behalf of our late sister, Sue B. Conway who was a longtime, devoted friend with King.
Chuck Clauer
October 17, 2014
King was a true friend and wonderful person. He always knew how to light up the room. He will be truly missed. I will never forget my dear friend.
October 17, 2014
Dianne and Family,
Wayne and I were so sorry to hear of King's death. We remember NYC and all night monopoly with waffles at 5 AM. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Wayne and Mickie Underhill
Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Brett Wells
October 16, 2014
One of the finest men that I have ever met. One of the last true american heroes. I will always cherish all the stories and most of all, our friendship.
Evelyn Chavez
October 16, 2014
I enjoyed holding your hand as we tried to walk back to the hotel after the football game. Always a gentleman and kind hearted. I will miss you!
Pete Hicks
October 16, 2014
A fine friend to all that knew him. He will be missed deeply.
October 16, 2014
Our sympathies to King's family. He was a good friend to us at the DAV in Wilmington working on the Building & grounds committee and also on the walk of honor. We will never forget King, carry him in our hearts and may he forever rest in peace. Stand tall in your final formation until all Marines meet again in heaven. Your brother in uniform Semper Fi!! Msgt. Timothy Ciotti, UNMC (ret) Chapter 11 DAV & Margie Ciotti
Kathy Conlin
October 16, 2014
I may have only known you for 5 yrs, but truly loved you and enjoyed all you shared w/ those around you!Always a gentleman and hero!
Jeff Schneider
October 16, 2014
Brother King Bostrom was a true patriot and wartime hero. He was also a firm friend and loyal Sigma Chi. Those of us lucky enough to have shared his life are thankful and join the many who mourn his passing. In hoc, Jeff Schneider
Burks Crumpler
October 16, 2014
R.I.P. King! We will miss your grand spirit!
Charlie Allison
October 16, 2014
I knew King in the Marine Corps when he was a Captain and I a Lieutenant at Cherry Point, Beaufort or Iwakuni, Japan, not sure which. In any event, we all looked up to King as a fighter pilot's fighter pilot. He was bigger than life, confident, but self-deprecating. As we all know, it's hard to be humble as a Marine, but King was close to it. Semper Fi King.
LtCol Charlie Allison, USMC (ret). Charlotte, NC
October 16, 2014
I did not know the Captain personally, but as one who helped keep his bird flying, I offer my condolences. The Captain was always professional to us and treated us with respect. He was, and is, an Officer of Marines and I am sad to see one of the "good" ones not return from this flight. Semper Fi.
David Keely (VMFA 334)
Virginia Palma Roberts
October 16, 2014
Please accept my deepest sympathy . King and I were classmates at NBHS and renewed our friendship many years later through his lifelong friend, Bobby Tuttle. He was such a special man and true friend.
Ed Ahrens
October 16, 2014
What great memories we have of King - flight training, Vietnam and 334; and 451 in Beaufort. Diane, We love you!
Ed and Anne Ahrens
Don Jackson
October 16, 2014
After reviewing my flight log books, King and I flew a close air support mission together in South Vietnam on 24 July, 1969. Live on King. You're a great guy and I'm sure we'll join up later.
October 16, 2014
I am privileged and honored to have served, flown and called Tarheel my friend. George Menk USMCR
Anne Russell
October 16, 2014
King Bostrom was a unique guy. My husband Howard Garriss, classmate of King in Raleigh, and I shall miss him.
Meg Tuttle Powell
October 16, 2014
Many thoughts and prayers for you all!! I'm so sorry to see this. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
October 16, 2014
Dianne and King,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike Tillman
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