Miles E. King Jr.

He was born on August 26, 1933 in Richmond, Virginia. The son of Miles and Virginia King, he was absolutely adored by his maternal grandmother, Etta Andrews. He attended Benedictine College Preparatory School in Richmond on a basketball scholarship and after graduation joined the Air Force. He was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi and served during the Korean War. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart, Marty Moorefield. They returned to Richmond and he attended Virginia Commonwealth University. Upon graduation he joined Ford Motor Company where in 1969 he won the Ford Division Achievement Award. During his time at Ford in Richmond he met some of the best friends of his life who formed a club known as the Richmond Steak Club. Originally with a membership of five families, the club grew to include others and continued to have reunions every Easter for more than 30 years. In 1971, the Kings where transferred to Dearborn, Michigan where Miles served as National Dealer Affairs Coordinator. The knowledge he gained in that assignment proved to be extremely valuable as in 1976, he became a partner in Colonial Ford in Brunswick, Georgia, and in 1980 he bought King’s Crown Ford in Jacksonville, Florida.

A friend to everyone he ever met, Miles was a born salesman. His customers trusted him, his employees respected him and he was held in high regard in the community. A reward for being one of the largest volume dealers in northeast Florida were the trips he won from Ford. As a Ford host while working in Dearborn he went to the first Super Bowl ever played and then attended 16 other Super Bowls, trips that he won. He and Marty loved the luxurious trips they took as a reward from Ford Motor Company for all of their hard work. In 1999, Miles sold the business and retired. With more time available, travel became a priority and he made it his mission to see the world. He took many trips and many cruises aboard his favorite ship, the Royal Viking Sun. Back at home, Miles always enjoyed golf and excelled at the sport. In 1974 he was Arnold Palmer’s partner in the Greater Jacksonville Open, a PGA tour event. We will never forget when Miles eagled a hole that Arnold Palmer birdied. Then in 2002 he partnered with his son Wade and they won the TPC Member Guest. Miles was inducted into the Senior Golfers Hall of Fame in 2002, and also received the Jacksonville Area Golf Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. Extremely active his entire life, Miles loved surf fishing at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and later on the beach in front of his condo in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. When he wasn’t golfing or fishing he was working on the flowerbeds outside his condo, sitting on his back porch looking at the ocean or going to Dollar Tree. But, by far his favorite activity was caring for his beloved cats. In fact, every evening before going to bed Miles would help his cat Lucky say his prayers.

Miles is predeceased by his parents, Miles Sr. and Virginia King.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Marty King, sister Pat Chandler (Ken), brother-in-law Bill Moorefield (Annie), daughter Valerie King, son Wade King (Lisa); granddaughters, Lindsey King and Kelly King Spears (Ben), step-granddaughter Lindsay Aldridge, two great granddaughters, one great grandson and his cat Lucky.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent on behalf of Community Hospice at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside, to 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257. Or if you prefer, go to Dollar Tree and buy a gift for someone you love. That would make Miles happy, for sure.

Upon hearing the news of Miles’ passing one of his best friends summed up his entire life with these words, “I’m telling you now, I had me a lot of fun with Miles King.” He will be dearly missed.