Thomas Jackson King, Sr.

Tom was born on May 11, 1920 in Huntsville, Alabama to Ephraim Jackson King and Beatrice Cloud King. Tom passed away peacefully on January 30, 2018 in Sterling, Virginia.

Tom came from humble and difficult beginnings. He grew up during the Great Depression, enrolled in high school ROTC in Houston where he lived with his Uncle, Henry Sanford King.

Shortly after high school Tom went to the Citizens Military Training Camp, part of the nation's reserve officer training program. Shortly after the start of World War II Tom was commissioned a 2 ^nd Lieutenant in the US Army Infantry and later he was promoted to 1 ^st Lieutenant At his request, he was given a combat assignment with the 111 ^th Infantry Regiment in the Peleliu Islands. Upon his honorable discharge in December 1945, Tom received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with Bronze Star.

Tom returned to Houston and began a successful career selling used cars to returning soldiers. He married Sarah Louise Hardy on July 23, 1947 while he was studying at the University of Houston. A year later Tom received his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management and Vocational Education as well as becoming the father of Tom, Jr. With the help and encouragement of his wife, Sarah, Tom completed his Masters in Management at the University of Houston while teaching full time. When recalled into the Army for the Korean War, Tom was stationed for two years in Tokyo where their daughter, Ann, was born. While in Tokyo, Tom and Sarah became close friends with the Jin and Yamamoto families. After the end of the Korean War, Tom and family moved to southern California where he worked for a number of private companies.

Tom worked many years for the US government as a Federal computer manager and with the United Nations for 10 years. The UN work included overseas assignments in Switzerland, Romania, Singapore, and developing countries throughout the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America. Tom assessed each nation's computer needs and recommended suitable improvements. Upon his retirement Tom authored a personal family history and genealogy book From Wagons To Spaceships (1993).

Tom gave often to his family and loved being with family. He taught his children and grandchildren to love camping. Although Tom did not like any kind of fish, he took his grandchildren fishing when they would visit because they wanted to go. Tom loved visiting his brother, Sam and family in Nashville, his cousin Betty in Houston and his Aunts Ethel and Robbie King, who helped raise him, in Huntsville. For his 80th birthday, Tom took his children, their spouses and his grandchildren to Hawaii for a vacation. On his 90th birthday, Tom was living in northern Virginia and took his children, their spouses, most of his grandchildren and his nephew Pat Mabry on a Caribbean cruise. For his 95th birthday, his family arranged for a week of glamping (glorious camping in the lodge and 2 cabins) at the Shenandoah River State Park where everyone (23 King/Vincent/Mabry families) had lots of fun and group meals every evening.

Preceding Tom in death was his wife, Sarah Louise Hardy King, his brother Sam (Helen) King, his sister Mary King, and his cousin (stand-in sister) Betty (Morton) Mabry. Tom leaves to cherish his memories, his son, Tom (Sue) King, Jr., his daughter Ann (J.P.) King, his daughter-in-law Leslee King, his grandchildren, Keith (Lisa) King, Karen (Brad) Hodson, Kevin King, Jeremy Vincent, Jennifer Vincent, Justine (Quentin) Vincent and his six great-grandchildren Jack, Luke, Thomas III, Ava, James and Loris.

Family will receive friends on February 10, 2019 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE, Leesburg, VA  20176.  Where a service will be held on Monday, February 11, 2019 at 10:00 am.  Interment will follow at 12:00 pm at Quantico National Cemetery.