George King

George Franklin King, 80, of Fort Smith passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017. He was born July 2, 1936 in Fort Smith to the late John Henry King and Ola Mae King. George was the second youngest of 17 children, a blend of his and hers and theirs. At the time he was born the family lived on and sharecropped land at Roselawn Cemetery on what was the Wilson Farm. He attended school till the eighth grade at which time it became necessary for him to quit school and help support his family.

He began working at Standard Bicycle Shop in Fort Smith, working mostly on bikes that had been returned, “come-backs”, with very little and sometimes no pay. Even as a teen, he had a small shop at home where he would tinker with strip and paint a complete bicycle for $12.00.

While still a young boy he began working on motors for a lawn mower repair shop on North 11th Street. He learned the art of auto body repair, working at three local body shops, sometimes working all day at one shop and then moonlighting at another shop.

At the age of 20, he married the love of his life, Julia “Judy” Whitlock. In 1968 he decided to follow his heart and his dreams and opened his own business. With $600.00, two babies and a wife who believed in him, together they opened George King Body and Frame Repair. They worked tirelessly, most days six days a week until what was bedtime for some, for forty-two years.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Monday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Roselawn Cemetery.

Viewing will be Sunday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home.

George is survived by his wife of 60 years, Julia; two daughters, Terri King Durbin and her husband Bobby of Fort Smith and Vicki King Andert and her husband Tim of Garfield; his sister, Margie King Garner and her husband James of Van Buren; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Tim Andert, Derek Andert, Tyler Usrey, Bobby Durbin, Buddy Berry and Pat Geels.