Jack Hailey King, 95, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away at 9:21 a.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born March 1, 1929, in Bolivar, Missouri, the son of Roy and Jennie Lake (Hailey) King. He went to grade school at Flint Hill Country School and Dadeville High School, graduating in 1947.
Immediately after high school, Jack started farming full-time and was honored with the American Star Farmer Degree by the Future Farmers of America in October, of 1950. On December 25, 1947, Jack was married to Bebe Rea Giberson in Dadeville, Missouri. Throughout the years, he has worked for Ranchers Oil Company, International Harvester, and Reyco. During “retirement,” Jack worked as a security guard. Simultaneously, folks would often call on Jack’s services to paint their house or mow their yard. Always active, he enjoyed mowing at least a dozen yards regularly well into his 90s. No matter where Jack was employed, he always found spare time to grow an amazing garden which he would share with family and friends. And from time to time, he raised cattle and horses. Jack was a member of the Masonic Lodge #129 of Monett, Missouri.
His wife, Bebe King, preceded him in death, as did his parents, Roy and Jennie Lake King, his daughter, Lynda Carrol (King) Johnson, infant grandson, James Gregory Johnson, sister, Denzelle Carlock, and brothers, Eldon, Carlos, and Kenneth King.
Survivors include his children and their spouses, Max and Josey King of Conway, Missouri, Luanne King of Aurora, Missouri and David and Eve King of Aurora, Missouri. His grandchildren, and their families (who affectionately knew him as Poppie) are Jackie and Jeff Pollard and their daughter, Ellery of Woburn, Massachusetts, Shannon and Rachel Johnson and their children, Sam and Stella of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Stephen and Angela Johnson of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Daniel and Lori Doyle and their son, Zac of Austin, Texas, Amy and Brett Holzle and their daughters, Zoey and Evie of Plano, Texas, Micah King of Austin, Texas, Rebekah and Ryan Odle and their children, Wilder and Leeland of Bastrop, Texas, John and Kim Asbury and their children, Alexandra Asbury, Mason Asbury, Morganne and Hunter Barnes, and Jack’s great-great grandson KJ all of Glendale, Arizona and Hailey King of Aurora, Missouri. Jack will also be lovingly missed by many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, with a graveside service to follow at 2:30 p.m. at Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. Rev. Micki Pulleyking will be officiating the service.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made payable to the Wounded Warriors Project in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.CraftonCantrellFuneralHome.com