Thomas Michael King

Tom led a colorful and enjoyable life full of travels and friends. He graduated from Redford High School in Detroit and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. He spent his professional career touching and enriching many lives through his teaching and coaching at Belding, Yale, and most recently East Lansing Schools, from which he had retired.

Tom had many interests in life. He enjoyed fishing, technology (which saved many a frustrated relative!), camping, boating, woodworking, photography, his motorcycle and his Corvette. To Tom, a perfect evening was one spent at a campfire with a drink in hand his “favorite girl”. Tom loved football and was a big USC fan (sorry Spartans!) and a Notre Dame fan by marriage. There were many college football debates over the years, mostly friendly. He loved color, especially his loud Hawaiian shirts and has requested that those who come to celebrate his life not come in black but come in happy colors (and be careful… if you wear black, Vicki may hand you one of his bright shirts to put on!) He felt strongly about and frequently used the phrase, “strength and honor”. He also felt strongly about Popeye’s saying, “I yam what I yam!” He was a good brother and brother-in-law and a favorite (and often silly) uncle. He was just who he chose to be. He loved many things in life, but he loved nothing…. nothing, like he loved his wife, Vicki. Theirs was truly a love story for the ages.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, DeKoven and Zenia Amelia “Amy” King. He is survived by his wife, Vicki (Engstrom) King; brother, Bill (Sue); and sisters, Susan and Mary. He is also survived by Vicki’s Engstrom siblings and their spouses, many nieces and nephews and their children.

A funeral Mass for Thomas will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at St. Martha Catholic Church, 1100 W Grand River Ave., Okemos, MI 48864. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed for anyone who wishes to attend virtually. The address is: st-martha.org and click on watch Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greater Lansing Food Bank, the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum, or to Victoria King for Tom’s memorial bench. Those attending Tom’s life celebration are asked to bring Matchbox or Hot Wheels Corvette toys which will be donated to Lansing Vette Lyfe to be donated to children they come in contact with, in memory of Tom.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for Tom's family.