Charles Lincoln King Sr.

Charley was born July 8, 1927 to Maria and Jefferson Paul King in Mexico City where he lived with his family throughout his childhood and early adulthood. He attended Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio and Shriner Institute in Kerrville. He later studied business and law at Baylor University where he earned his BBA.

At the age of 17, Charley was invited to serve as a junior ambassador at the United Nations Conference on International Organization. Delegates from 50 nations gathered in San Francisco to set up the organization which would preserve peace and help build a better world. At this conference, the Charter of the United Nations was signed by delegates from the 50 countries. Charley got to experience the formation of the United Nations at that conference, and always talked about how exciting it was for him and a few other junior ambassadors to witness the event. He always kept a framed letter from President Truman on his wall, which thanked him for his service at the UNCIO conference.

Charley enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1946. He proudly served in A-Company, First Engineering Battalion, First Marine Division near the end of WWII. He loved to share the incredible stories of serving in Guam, Saipan, Pagan Island and Northern China.

In 1950, Charley met the love of his life, Margaret “Margie” Rosenfeld. He proposed to her on their second date, and they married on November 7, 1950. They enjoyed 63 loving years together, raising their four children, and making their home in Waco, Memphis, Brownsville, Mexico, Pasadena, Houston, and finally Pearland.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, Charley worked in the family cotton business in Mexico City, travelling throughout Mexico and the United States to buy and sell cotton. In the early 1960’s, the King family retired from the cotton business, so Charley moved Margie and their four children back to the United States, starting a new life in Pasadena. He put his bachelor’s degree to good use in a 30-year career as an attorney negotiator for State Farm Insurance.

Charley had many interests and accomplishments. As a young man, he developed a love for horses. While attending Peacock Military Academy, and Shriner Institute, he became an accomplished equestrian competitor. His family has always enjoyed seeing the photos of him as teenager, jumping two horses over a fence at one time, with one foot on the back of each horse.

Charley also loved aviation. He learned to fly airplanes while living in Mexico, and his favorite plane to fly was a Cessna 152. His love of aviation had to be put on hold later in life as his vision suffered, but he never forgot how much he enjoyed being a pilot.

Charley was also interested in politics, books, military history, music and art. He was a loving and generous family man who loved his family more than anything. He was a prolific letter-writer with a vocabulary that compared to that of renowned university professors of English. His letters were often composed of very long sentences rivaling those of William Faulkner; but unlike Faulkner’s, Charley’s were grammatically correct. He continued writing long letters until just days before his passing.

As a member of the China Marine Association, Charley and his beloved wife Margie enjoyed traveling all over the country to attend the Association’s reunions. The relationships with his China Marine buddies were very special to him for many years and he continued to stay in touch with several who had become life-long friends. In addition to attending the many China Marine Association reunions, Charley and Margie built beautiful memories traveling to Europe several times and criss-crossing Canada by train. They loved it.

Charley is proceeded in death by his parents, Jefferson Paul King and Maria B. King; his loving wife, Margaret Rosenfeld King; and his brothers Paul King and Robert King.

He is survived by his children: Charles L. King and wife Rose, Robert E. King and wife Deborah, David P. King and Lyuda Wales, and Margaret M. Timmins and husband Dan. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Elizabeth Hegi and husband John, Ashley King, Logan Vordenbaum and husband Jonathan, Graysan Coburn and husband Miles; great-grandchildren Maverick Hegi, Natalie Hegi, and Nolan Thibodeaux; sisters-in-law Julia Finger, Alicia King and Susanna King-Chavez; numerous nieces, nephews, and life-long family friend Carmen Hernandez.

A private grave-side service was held in late January. There will be a memorial celebration later in February for his many family members, friends and neighbors who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, The American Heart Association or his personal favorite, The NRA.

The family would like to give special, heart-felt thanks to the staff at Atria Senior Living in Friendswood for their kindness and care for Charley during the last month. They made him feel comfortable and welcome.