Claude "Ed" King

A memorial service for Claude Edwin “Ed” King, Jr., 77, of Tyler, will be held on Monday, June 23, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Green Acres Baptist Church Worship Center with Dr. Paul Powell and Dr. David Dykes officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. King passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 19, 2014. He was born April 10, 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia to Claude Edwin and Ruby Odell Mann King. Ed grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where he met the love of his life, Sandra, in high school. She was a cheerleader and he was a football player. They began their family while Ed worked 10 years as a fireman then later began a career with Xerox where he was eventually transferred to Austin, Texas. In 1978, Ed became the first Chick-Fil-A franchisee in Longview, Texas where his son, Chuck, still operates 2 locations. In 1983, Ed relocated to Tyler, Texas where he began building a legacy that has benefited so many. Mr. King is best known as the owner of two Chick-Fil-A locations in Tyler, but he was so much more than just a successful businessman. He was a generous philanthropist for many institutions and non-profits including; The Salvation Army, Breckenridge Village, Bethesda Health Clinic, Toys for Tots, Meals On Wheels, The East Texas Food Bank and Champions for Children. He received the Passion Award from the Salvation Army, the Tyler Chamber of Commerce’s Small Businessman of the Year and the 2012 Community Builder Award from the Tyler Masonic Lodge. Ed was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church. He was a southern gentleman and a devout Christian but first and foremost, a loving husband and father. His life was extended with a heart transplant Ed received in 1999 through the gift of organ donation from a gracious family who chose to give life even through the death of their loved one. Ed is survived by his loving family including his wife of 59 years, Sandra King of Tyler, Texas; children, Chuck King and wife Rhonda of Longview, Texas, Kellie Ronan of Longview, Texas and James King and wife Norma of Flint, Texas; grandchildren, Josh Ronan and wife Amanda of Lufkin, Texas, Jason Ronan of Tyler, Texas, Katie Soape and husband Joel of Longview, Texas, Braden King of Longview, Texas, Corey King and Amanda King of Flint, Texas and Jeremy Johnston of Whitehouse, Texas; great-grandchildren, Sydney Ronan of Lufkin, Texas and Macey Towery of Longview, Texas; brother, John King of Gay, Georgia. Pallbearers will be Josh Ronan, Jason Ronan, Braden King, Joel Soape, Corey King and Jeremy Johnston. A reception is scheduled following the service on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Green Acres Baptist Church in the Crosswalk Center. If desired, memorials may be made to; Breckenridge Village, 15062 County Road 1145, Tyler, TX 75704, East Texas Food Bank, 3201 Robertson Rd, Tyler, TX 75701, Bethesda Clinic, 409 W Ferguson St, Tyler, TX 75702, Meals On Wheels, 3001 Robertson Rd, Tyler, TX 75701, The Salvation Army, 633 N Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75702, The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701, Southwest Transplant Alliance, 5489 Blair Rd, Dallas, TX 75231 organ.org, or a charity of your choice.

Claude "Ed" King

April 10, 1937 - June 19, 2014