Great Fiend. Best flight instructor. He has been greatly missed.

Still missing you Mr. King and thinking of you every time I fly. Learned so much from you. 

Respectfully,

Richard Reynolds

Mr. King was my flight instructor while I trained at Moontown.  His patient coaching and quiet humor were always on display and made each flight an adventure.  I hear him still in my headset as I make my way across the sky, tugging a bit on the yoke to keep the wings level and the speed up, reminding me me to use the rudder pedals for more than just a foot rest.  When I land and put the plane away, he is often there too,  calling casually over his shoulder as he walks back to the FBO, "wipe our finger prints off and tie her down for the next one.  I think she'll still fly."  "Yes, Sir, I will, and thank you for the flight".

Richard Reynolds
N8195Y 

My wife and I moved to Huntsville three year ago. I was told of Moontown airport shortly after arriving. Ken was there, we scheduled the first of many flights together. I told my "you know how nice it is to have an instructor older than me again?" 

"Ken-isms" Lets go fly, I couldn't do better myself, you didn't scare me. 

I worked with Ken for many years at the Huntsville Control Tower.
He was a friend and great to work with, had a great sense of humor, a very nice person, will be missed by all that knew him.
Faith and I send sympathy to his family.  

Ken was my supervisor at HSV tower. He had a great sense of humor. It was a joy to work with him.

Ken taught me to fly the Champ at Moontown.  He was a very good instructor.

Ken was my flight instructor for my instrument flight rating and I will forever remember his fine Christian character and his patience, humor (his term for a “touch and go landing” was “crash and dash”) and commitment to teaching all elements of flight planning, aircraft control and safe flight.  He was a friend to all  and a welcome and cheerful presence at Moontown airport.  He will be missed.

He was the epitome of an aviator and consummate gentleman both in the air, on the ground, and in the HSV tower. Longtime family friend that will be missed. Forever blue skies...

Ken King was a living legend in my eyes when he taught me how to fly at age 15. I remember being quite nervous and would try my best to never slip up, not that he would ever dress me down for making a mistake, I just always wanted to do my best around him. I can’t recall any teacher other than Ken that brought that out of me as a student. 
Ken is a person I will never forget and am truly blessed to have known,  how else can you describe someone who trusted you to land a plane when he cuts the engine? I have and always will cherish the memories of flying  and learning with Ken. My heartfelt condolences go to his family. He was a great man and an aviation legend. 
I hope to fly in the heavens again with you Ken.

Ken, we be missed in the aviation community in Madison County.  A truly nice guy, excellent pilot,  and a great CFI.   He was instrumental in helping me reach my goals as a GA pilot.

I was Blessed to meet Ken. I looked forward to spending time with the Ken and the “Moontown ROMEOs”.    I looked forward to hearing his special humor.  You never knew when something hilarious would come out.  “I’ve seen better landings by a boat anchor” he would tell me after a greased landing. I also enjoyed learning from Ken because he had so much experience and wisdom to share.  I believe that I am a much safer pilot because of Mr. King.  He touched my life in so many ways and I thank GOD for the time I was with him.  Until we meet again…you will be missed.  

God shared his love through Ken.  An amazing flight instructor and a wonderful human being.  I will miss him very much.

I always loved heading to 3M5 to fly the Aeronca Champ with Ken --hearing his jokes was as much fun as the flight itself.  I was always amazed by his calm demeanor even when my landings were, ahem, less than stellar.  I will miss seeing him at Moontown and wish his family the best at a difficult time.

Some folks you meet in life are unforgettable.  Ken is that for me and no telling how many other folks that learned to fly doing laps at 3M5.  You always felt better pulling up to the airport when you saw Ken's car there.  Will never forget my first solo.  After a few laps with Ken, we decided it was time.  While Ken was hopping out of a running 39JC, he gave a few last reminders and ended with "I've got all the confidence in the world in ya, but I'm taking my headset just in case..." before he slammed the door.  Ha!!  So thankful that our paths crossed and I got to learn from the best.  

My deepest sympathies to the family. Like many others, Ken was my flight instructor. He was always quick to crack a joke, his favorite for me was usually "that wasn't a hard landing, just a firm arrival", which typically followed landings where I was certain the landing gear struts were cracked. Ever calm and patient, Ken's knowledge and wisdom and his ability to impart those things both inside and outside the cockpit will be greatly missed. I am very thankful and honored to have had the opportunity to meet and learn from him. 

Mr. King was my flight instructor.  I never met a more patient man, nor one with a better sense of humor and a limitless ability to fly more hours in heat or cold, day or night , all year long, than instructors half his age.  He had nerves of steel and thought  nothing of  flying into Moontown's (3M5) grass strip on a moonless night with frightened students, all of whom were searching desparately for a glimpse of the near invisible field, praying they wouldn't encounter a deer or two while in the flare as he sat there in the cockpit cool as a cucumber. I know, I was one of them.   Fly West dear friend and mentor. I owe you my wings and a debt of deepest gratitude.

R2

OBITUARY

Kenneth B. King

October 12, 1936 – January 16, 2020

Valhalla Funeral Home & Memory Gardens

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Visitation

Funeral Service