Gerald L. King, 76, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2014 at Archbold Memorial Hospital while surrounded by his family.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Medley officiating. Interment will follow at Cool Springs Cemetery with John Snowden, Robert “Bo” Snowden, Jeff Jeter, David Helms, Henry Cutts, and Wendell Nix serving as active pallbearers. The Baraca Sunday School Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 5: to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Ivey Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society 323 Pine Ave Ste 100, Albany, GA, US, 31701 , Cerebral Palsy Foundation 1660 L Street NW, Suite 70, Washington, DC 20036, and Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607.

Gerald was born May 28, 1938 in St. Augustine, Florida, the son of Dewey and Virginia Jeter King. He was raised in Hollywood, Fla. and a graduate of South Broward High School, Class of 1956. Serving in the U.S. Air Force, he was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base where he served in the 19th Bomb Wing of the Strategic Air Command and served on the Mercury Missile Project.

Gerald was Vice President of Telectron Electronics in Ft. Lauderdale and as an account manager at Stones, Inc.

Gerald had a gentle heart and volunteered many hours with the Faceville Volunteer Fire Department. “Coach King”, as he was known, volunteered many hours with the Hollywood Civitan Club and Hollywood First Baptist Church working with various youth sports teams. He was an active member of Bainbridge First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, and was a member of the Baraca Sunday School Class. He was a World War II enthusiast, and loved the Florida Gators and the Miami Dolphins.

Gerald was an avid hurricane tracker, amateur meteorologist, and without a doubt his love for his family is what defined him.

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Stephen King; and a brother, Stephen Jackson King.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Nancy Snowden King of Faceville; his daughters, Susan K. Belcher and her husband, Jim, of Bainbridge,  and Jeanette K. Calhoun of Bainbridge; his grandchildren, Douglas L.Taunton, Jonathan P. Taunton, and Katie O. Calhoun; and several nieces and nephews.

Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.