Jack Junior King

Jack Junior King was called Home on September 29, 2024. He was born on August 24, 1935 in Seminole, Oklahoma to Martin and Jewel King.  He attended Seminole’s Central elementary and Roosevelt elementary, and he went on to Seminole High where he played football and basketball and was a member of the Seminole Round-Up club.  His SHS motto: “Strong as a bull, fast as a bee, Seminole class of ‘53”.  It was in the Round Up Club, competing in calf roping, and most importantly where he met the love of his life, the beautiful barrel racer Gala Sue Johndrow. During high school, he worked for his father at Rock Island Railroad and for Curry Hardin Furniture Company delivering furniture. After high school, he talked his parents into letting him join the Oklahoma National Guard. He applied for infantry automotive supervisor where he was accepted and transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia. In August of 1955 Jack left the active Army, serving in the National Guard Army Reserve. On June 19, 1959, he married Gala in Seminole, and they began their life journey together being married for over sixty-five years. Jack began his professional career in the oil industry working for Armco Steel/Fluid Packed Pump Company for almost 45 years.

Their life together in Seminole was quick as they moved to Snyder, Texas in November of 1959.  From that time on they moved to Denver City, and then Hobbs, New Mexico from 1962 to 1975.  During their time in Hobbs, he developed a love for the game of golf, becoming a zero-handicap golfer and winning multiple tournaments in southeast New Mexico and West Texas.  He most certainly passed that love of golf to his children.  While in Hobbs, Jack was an active member of Jefferson Street Church of Christ serving as a deacon for many years before moving the family to Midland.

In 1975, Jack moved the family to Midland, Texas, living in Midland until 1982 before being transferred to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  In 1985, they moved back home to Midland.

The King family moved to Texas and Jack moved his reserve duties to Austin, TX. While serving in the reserves he gained the status of E-7 platoon Sargent. A few months after Jack’s release they stopped all discharges because of the Berlin crisis. He retired from his professional career in April of 1998. His daughter graduated from the University of Oklahoma on May 9, 1998, and Jack joked “that they were finally starting their new lives together”.

Jack was an active member of the Golf Course Road Church of Christ for over forty-six years, serving in many different ministries during that time.  Jack was very active in both of his kids’ activities, coaching all sports, and following almost every competitive round of golf that they played.  His biggest joys were his grandchildren, loving on them, investing his time into their lives, and never missing one of their activities.  Jack (PaPaw) was infamous for all of his one-liners and jokes, too many to list and tell.

Jack loved the Lord and his family with all of his being.  He always took care of his family, most importantly Gala, over these last several years. Jack is survived by his son J.J. King and wife Stacy, and daughter Paula Bettis and husband John, all of Midland, grandchildren Jack of Norman, Oklahoma, and Campbell King of Midland, Turner Bettis and wife Shelly of Fort Worth, and Hartley Haynes and husband Marcus of Midland, along with five great grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife Gala, his parents, two sisters, and numerous cousins.  The family would like to express their gratitude to Visiting Angels and to Hospice of Midland for their care over the past few months.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Midland Christian School.

A graveside service will be held October 2, 2024 at 10:00am at Little Cemetery in Little, Oklahoma.  A Memorial/Celebration of Life service and family visitation will be on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 10:30am at Golf Course Road Church of Christ.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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