Harold Leon King

The first of five children born to Essie Mae and B. B. King, Leon King grew up working hard from a very young age as a country boy. His parents had a traditional farm in the area of Post Oak Tritt Road and eventually they moved into dairy farming. Later, they opened a grocery store on the Marietta square. Transitioning into another business, Mr. King, along with his father and Mr. J.M. Jackson, founded Jackson and King in 1955, still one of Cobb County’s oldest businesses. Mr. Jackson’s portion eventually was purchased by the rest of the extended King family. Jackson and King was a large business involving commercial and residential real estate, property management, mortgage brokering and Insurance with the entire King family proudly working harmoniously together – as a family. Leon King focused on the Insurance segment operating Jackson and King Agency for over 40 years.

He provided exceptional, caring and professional Insurance service of all types to thousands of Cobb County citizens over more than 40 years. A leader in every aspect of his life, Mr. King rose up in the Independent Agents of Georgia Association and serving as President in 1972. He was also very active in the Lions Club and First United Methodist Church. He was President of the Lions Club in 1970 and was chairmen of the Administrative Board as well as head of the finance and building committees at First United Methodist Church during times of large growth and expansion. He also served as President of West Side Elementary PTA and as a director of Marietta Country Club. He was a Marietta High School football season ticket holder for decades and a long-time member of the True Blue Club. He loved his MHS Blue Devils and Georgia Bulldogs.

Leon King served our nation for 8 years in the Naval Reserve during the 1950s and in 1990 he was selected to be a USAF Honorary Commander. He has also served his community as member of the Cobb Development Authority and was Chairmen of the Marietta Housing Authority. Until very recently, he was still serving on the Civil Service Board.

He married the love of his life, Betty Jean Hayes, on November 4, 1952 and joined a long list of Marietta High School graduates to intermarry. Leon graduated in 1949 and Betty in 1950. They had four children: Terry, Randy, Mickey and Tricia. Mr. King was an avid golfer for many years playing in a regular Marietta Country Club foursome with Earl Smith, Dick Harp and Lee Partain. He and Betty travelled the world and all over America in their motor home, loved ocean cruises, were avid tennis players and snow skiers as well as very socially active in the Marietta community. Mr. King especially enjoyed being with his large extended family at Marietta Camp Meeting and at large gatherings.

Mr. King is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Hayes King and children Terry King (Patti), Randy King (Tina), Mickey King (Lyn), and Tricia Payne (Scott.) He has 4 grandchildren, Savannah, Brad and Annabelle King and Jordon Brown Mills. Also, he is survived by his youngest brother, Jerry King (Gloria), brother-in-law Jerry Hayes (LeJuan) and uncle, Edd Davis (Agnes.) He also had numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Don and Gene King and sister, Betty Jane McCreary as well as her husband Robert.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064 and/or Marietta Campmeeting, Inc., c/o Treasurer, Cheryl G. Lassiter, 251 Calming Water Tr., Dallas, GA 30132.

Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins. Funeral service will be held on Monday at 2PM at Marietta First Methodist Church. Family will receive friends before the service in the Parlor.

Burial arrangements under the direction of Kennesaw Memorial Park.