Quentin E. King, Jr.

Elbert “Quentin” King, Jr., was born on April 9, 1942, in Alton, Illinois to the late Elbert Quentin King, Sr. and Alice Dorothy (Jackson) King. Quentin and his family moved to Los Angeles, California when he was a young child. He attended Mona Park Elementary School in Willowbrook, California and Dison Jr. High School in Los Angeles. In June 1960 he graduated from Fremont High School in Los Angeles, where he was very active in various school activities and was a member of the marching band, swim team, and reptile club. Quentin extended his formal education and earned an Associate of Arts in Sociology from Compton Junior College in 1965. After graduation, Quentin joined the United States Marine Corp Reserves in 1965. He earned the rank of Sergeant E-5 and was recognized as G-Company 1st Honor Man 1968 ATD and received an Honorable discharge in March 1971.

In 1967 he became employed as a guard at the Los Angeles County Art Museum, but had his sights set higher in the field of law enforcement. In 1970 he completed basic training as a Deputy Marshal for the County of Los Angeles and soon after became employed as a Bailiff in the court system.

Amongst his many accomplishments, in 1971 he was recognized as a Police Marksman Sharpshooter and was commissioned as a Licensed Peace Officer. In September 1973, he became an Investigator for the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office where he rose to the rank of Supervisor 3 and held that position until he retired in March 2003. His career with the County of Los Angeles spanned over 35 years.

Quentin was a dedicated and loving husband to his cherished wife, “the love of his life” Deatria L. Pierce, who he married on May 26, 1968. He was an extraordinary father to their two daughters: Shellese A. King-Bassette (Chandler, Arizona) and Erica M. King , (Little Elm, Texas). He had a unique ability to make each of them feel truly special, offering his unwavering support, guidance, and love throughout their lives. Quentin spent the majority of his life in Los Angeles until April of 2015 when he and his wife relocated to Chandler, Arizona.

A quintessential outdoorsman, he had a reverence for nature and animals. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, watching combat sports (boxing and MMA) and football games, riding motorcycles, playing pool, gardening, and tinkering with all things mechanical. He truly enjoyed fixing things of all sorts around the house, as he viewed it as a puzzle that challenged his mind. He relished being outside whether walking in the woods or enjoying a lakeside view of the sunset. He said that was where he felt God the most.

Despite his military background and field of employment that sometimes exposed him to the harsher aspects of life, Quentin was a remarkable man with a genuinely kind heart. He never hesitated to lend a listening ear and often provided advice, whether solicited or not, in the form of an analogy. He always tried to see conflicts from the other person’s point of view and was quick to give someone the benefit of the doubt. Sincerely devoted to family, he cherished his immediate and extended family and loved spending vacation time with them.

Quentin was preceded in death by his mother, Alice D. (Jackson) King; his father, Elbert Q. King, Sr.; his brother, Maurice King, Sr.; his sister-in-law, Ollie M. King; and nephew, Mario King.

He leaves behind Deatria L. (Pierce) King, his loving wife and dedicated partner of 55 years; devoted daughters, Shellese King-Bassette (Darryl), and Erica M. King; niece, Marquel King-Moore (Keith); nephews, Maurice King, Jr. and Marlon King; brothers-in-law, H. Stanley Pierce, Jr. (Karen), Larry Pierce (Kim), and a host of great-nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors, and extended family.

Quentin transitioned peacefully with his family at his bedside on January 27, 2024. May he rest in eternal peace, knowing that he was truly the best son, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin and friend and that his love will be carried forward in the hearts of those he leaves behind. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎