Howard King's Obituary
Howard Robert King, age 88, ended his battle with multiple myeloma and passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours of February 19, 2020 in Tracy, California. He finished his race and is now with his Savior Jesus.
He was born on May 19th, 1932 to Elliot and Martha King in Belmar, New Jersey. Howard was preceded in rest by his young son Gerald Wayne King in 1961. He is survived by Norma Ferrell King, his wife of 67 years; daughter Cynthia Louise King Criswell, son Michael Howard King, and daughter Nancy Anne King McCracken. Howard was also blessed with eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He lived out his boyhood in New Jersey, where he loved to play softball with kids from the neighborhood. As a young man He enlisted and served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Ordnanceman aboard a Martin PBM-5 Mariner patrol bomber flying off the coast of Korea. With the Korean Conflict winding down and his four year tour of duty coming to an end, He was based at Alameda Naval Air Station in California. It was there in the East Bay where he met his future wife, Norma, on a blind date. They soon married and began their life raising a family in Alameda then San Leandro and later Hayward, California. In the early years, Howard worked as a warehouseman for A.G.E. Department store in Oakland, and later for Safeway Stores in Warm Springs and then Tracy, CA. At retirement Howard and Norma moved to Stockton, CA. During his retirement He worked as a volunteer with the Stockton Police Department.
He was a long-time Raiders fan, and went through many season ticket bags of peanuts during games shared with good friends and his son Michael. He was very proud of his garden and loved to grow roses, gladiolas and carnations. He served many years as a deacon at Huntwood Baptist Church in Hayward, acting as a greeter on Sundays and also as financial officer tending to the business of the church. He also enjoyed playing an outfielder with the church softball team.
He was a loving husband and father. He was gentle and quiet to a fault, and known as “Pop-Pop” to his grandchildren. He will be sorely missed, and would want everyone to know he entrusted his life to Jesus.
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