Gerald M. King

Gerald “Jerry” Maurice King, 74, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed on Friday, March 14, 2014, at St. Luke’s East Hospital in Lee’s Summit, MO. Surrounded by a loving family and friends, Jerry courageously and peacefully met the challenge of an extended illness until the Lord called him home.

Born February 9, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri to Weldon King and Bertha King Ellis, Jerry was educated in the public schools within the Kansas City Missouri school district. His parents and a son, Bernard Richardson, preceded him in death.

In 1957, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served honorably, most notably as an Aeromedical Specialist, until his discharge from active duty in 1963. Jerry then returned to Kansas City and eventually found gainful employment with General Motors Leeds. While employed at the General Motors Leeds plant, he earned a B.S. in Psychology from UMKC.

In 1992, Jerry retired from General Motors after twenty-one years of loyal service and began a successful career in real estate.

At an early age, Jerry accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and later served as a faithful member of Concord Fortress of Hope Church under Senior Pastor Ronald R. Lindsay, whom he loved dearly. Jerry served on the Board of Trustees and was active in supporting the church ministries. In the Hickman Mills/Ruskin community, he worked with youths as a substitute teacher in the Hickman Mills school district and supported other community-wide outreach efforts. An avid golfer with a twenty-eight year membership in the Kansas City Swingers Golf Association, Jerry always looked forward to weekly golf outings, annual tournaments and the many friendships.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Sammie Ray and their two children---daughter Tracy Rucker (Thomas) of Grandview, MO and son Anthony King of Kansas City, MO; a sister Margaret Ross (Andrew); another son Rick McNack; four grandchildren; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, in-laws and friends. To his family and many friends, he will always be remembered for his one-word reply of fantastic to greetings such as “How Are You Doing?” and “How Are Things Going?”

Funeral services for Gerald “Jerry” King will be held on Wednesday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at the Concord Fortress of Hope Church located at 11050 W. Longview Parkway in Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be the next day (Thursday), March 20, at 11 a.m. at the Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas. Funeral and burial services are entrusted to Mt Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, Missouri, 64131.

Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.