RICHARD H. KING

Nashville, TN

Richard H. King, age 74, of Nashville, died February 22, 2017 at St. Thomas West Hospital after a battle with cancer.

He was born December 11, 1942 in Rochester NY to the late Roy L. and Florence H. King of Nashville.

He graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1961 and from Duke University in 1965 where he was treasurer of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega.

After graduating from Duke he was commissioned Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve and commenced a three year tour aboard the U.S.S. CHEVALIER DD-805, a WWII vintage destroyer used effectively during the Vietnam War for both naval gunfire support and as escort for the carriers engaged in the air war over North Vietnam.

Upon the completion of his tour aboard CHEVALIER in 1968, where he served as Assistant Engineering Officer and Officer of the Deck (Fleet) , he was promoted to Lieutenant and awarded the Secretary of the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V. He remained active in the Naval Reserve, served as the Commanding Officer of two different Naval Reserve Detachments, and retired from the Navy in 1994 as a Commander.

He entered the Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1968, graduated in 1971 and admitted to the Tennessee Bar that same year. He practiced law in Nashville for decades towards the end of which he specialized in Real Estate Development and Health Facilities Law and then ceased active law practice to become engaged in the full time development of Ambulatory Surgery Centers in both Nashville and Jackson Tennessee.

After retiring in 2006, he became the most prolific contributing author to an anthology of naval destroyer experiences entitled "Scurvy Dogs, Green Water and Gunsmoke", Oak Tree Press, 2008.

He is survived by two nieces, Lee King Campbell of Pittsburgh and Leslie S. King of San Francisco and by countless friends in the greater Nashville area and across the country.

A committal service will be held at Middle Tennessee State Veteran's Cemetery on McCrory Lane in Nashville at 2PM on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

Guestbook online at www.crawfordservices.com.

CRAWFORD MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 615-254-8200

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tennessean from Feb. 26 to Feb. 28, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard King

Sponsored by Crawford Mortuary & Crematory.

7 Entries

Richard Crouch

July 11, 2020

great friend during my midshipmen cruise on the USS Chevallier, DD-805 in San Diego, CA, the summer of 1967 and later in Nashville in 1972 at the Naval Reserve Unit. Coincidentally, my daughter went to Duke University, he to MBA, and I having grown up in Nashville from the age of 9, to Hillsboro H.S. Ther is a good chance he new my best friend, Don Miller with Thomas Miller Architects who built hospitals all around Tennessee and the South beginning in 1976 or perhaps a bit later.

If this message gets to a family member, please contact me as I would like to share some fun memories with you.

Jean King

March 7, 2017

He was the best brother in law anyone could ask for. I know he and brother Bob are enjoying a few beers. He was always so good to me. When sick he visited.

Dirk Wiley

February 28, 2017

Dick loved to go hunting even though he was not that good at it. He would cut out crossword puzzles to work in the blind instead of watching for game. He often complained his day was ruined when a large Turkey strutted into the field and he had to stop doing his puzzle. Dick was way to complicated to attempt to describe here in a few words. Dick looked forward to planning, executing and telling the stories later. He was not feeling good last Turkey season and I decided to get some video of him telling some of his favorite stories. I have posted one of his favorite legal cases and I hope you enjoy it. Dick was a wonderful friend to me for 35 years and I will miss him deeply every time I enter the woods.

Terry Miller

February 28, 2017

I have known Dick for nearly 20 years as members of the same writers group of destroyer veterans. He was always somewhat reserved but he was a prolific writer. And he has been a friend these years as we've discussed topics from politics to hunting, especially his love of turkey hunts. I will miss his thoughtful nature and his humorous attempts to understand technology.
Dick shared much of his life with his writer friends and we enjoyed hearing his descriptions and on those rare occasions when he thought a topic called for the soap box, his studied view of the subject matter. He was ever the lawyer.
God Bless you, Dick.

February 27, 2017

I met Dick in 1977 when I was introduced to Gordon's friends at Sperry's - what happy memories of Dick and the whole group! Dick was always telling tales from his MBA days, Duke, Vandy, and, of course, his Navy adventures. He loved to tell a story...
Dick had a huge heart and was a loyal friend.
Even though he and I lost touch over the last few years, I will always remember Dick as a terrific person - kind and sweet in his own way.
I wasn't aware that he was so ill, and I feel badly that I didn't have a chance to visit with him a few more times, but he definitely has a place in my hear.
Carol Smith

stewart harris

February 26, 2017

Dick King was a complex man. Kind and reclusive but always a good friend. I have never heard a an evil word from his mouth.. I didn't understand him, but for some strange reason i wanted him in my life. Sail on forever NAVY MAN

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