John Lonnie King's Obituary
Obituary for John Lonnie King John Lonnie King was born in Hobbs, New Mexico on June 26, 1940. Being raised on a cotton farm in his beloved West Texas, John learned the meaning of hard work. He attended Texas Tech University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. That same year, John proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he navigated B52 bombers in the Vietnam War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1969, at the rank of Captain, he transitioned from active duty in United States Air Force to working at a civilian capacity. He proudly continued serving as a reserve officer in United States Air Force. In 1990, John was promoted to the rank of Colonel in United States Air Force reserve and continued to serve his country until his retirement from the United States Air Force in 2000. He also earned a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1979. Upon retiring, John moved to Hot Springs Village Arkansas. He joined the Hot Springs Village Gardening Club and became a Certified Master Gardner. While volunteering there, he organized and planted the beautiful Military Memorial Garden in Hot Springs Village. During his years in Hot Springs, he was also very active in church and many other volunteer activities. In 2011, John moved to Tulsa. He quickly became an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church. At Asbury he was very involved in the Single Basics Community. His beautiful deep voice was a large part of the Singing Ambassadors. John also served as a Congregational Care Minister and was ordained as a Stephen Minister. John used his Master Gardener certification in Tulsa at Linnaeus gardens. He volunteered many hours and served as the chairman of Grandparents day. John was a member of the Circle of Red for the American Heart Association. Of all the accomplishments in John’s full life, he was most proud of his successful children: June, who owns a dress shop in Hot Springs Arkansas and John, Jr., a surgeon with Warren Clinic in Tulsa Oklahoma. He loved his twin grandchildren, Ryan and Emily King, and he adored his beautiful wife, Rita. Their time together was a wonderful gift from God. John is preceded in death by his parents, John Lonnie and Elizabeth King of Plainview, Texas. He is survived by his wife Rita King, of Tulsa Oklahoma; daughter June Jones and Wayne Tucker of Hot Springs, Arkansas; his son & daughter-in-law Dr. John King, Jr. & Melinda King of Tulsa, Oklahoma; stepdaughter Lani Gunderson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sister Drucilla Mills of California; and grandchildren Emily and Ryan King of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Memorial Service will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 23rd, Asbury United Methodist Church, Tulsa.
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