L. J. King

Mr. Loyd Jeff King, Sr., known to his friends as L.J., went to his heavenly home on Sunday, October 1, 2023. He was a Christian and a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. L.J. was the youngest of seven children, born to Minnie and Gus King on December 24, 1930, in Woden, Texas.

During his youth, L.J. helped with his family’s general store and played basketball for the Woden Eagles. He then served in the Air Force until 1951. He married Mary Lou Holt on June 3, 1951. L.J. and Mary Lou moved to Nacogdoches where he worked in the grocery business until he was hired at NIBCO. He worked there in the shipping department until his retirement.

L.J. is survived by his sons, Loyd Jeff King, Jr., and Larry Jene King. He is also survived by his son Loyd’s wife, Gayla Pitts King, and his grandchildren, Amy King, Emily King Newlin with husband Jon Newlin, Austin King, Matthew King, and Kayla King Medrano with husband Alex Medrano. L.J. also has two great-grandchildren, Austen Newlin and Lorenzo Medrano, whom he adored.

As a husband, L.J. cared for Mary Lou in every way until she went to be with Jesus on December 31, 2016. They raised their sons and cared for their grandchildren with joy and devotion.

His sons will remember him as a patient and loving father and husband, not able to remember him ever having cross words with anyone. L.J. taught his boys through his example of how to be a Godly and caring husband and father. They enjoyed hunting together in East and West Texas.

His grandchildren will remember L.J. as their Papaw King who always showed them attention, sneaked them a Hershey’s Kiss, and was delighted to be with them. Collectively, they spent many hours outdoors with their Papaw—they fondly remember activities like picking pecans and shelling them on the porch. L.J. also loved to fix broken things, and his care extended to his hobby of making bird and squirrel feeders.

L.J. was preceded in death by his wife, mother, father, and sisters Mabel Curtis, Elsie Irene Neece, Jessie Mae (Boe) Waracka, Gussie Dee Smallwood, Dorothy Jacobs, and brother James King, Jr.

L.J. was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Nacogdoches and served there for many years. Charitable donations can be made in his name to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries c/o Nacogdoches Church of the Nazarene at 211 S.E. Stallings Dr., Nacogdoches, TX, 75964.

A visitation for L.J. will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North St, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.

L.J. will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery, Nacogdoches, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com for the King family.