Jack King,

Jack M. King, Sr., a well-known and respected businessman in Tyler, died peacefully at his home on Sunday afternoon, March 23, 2008. He was 84. Jack Martin King was born to Henry Robertson King and Felice Martin King on September 30, 1923, in Atlanta, Texas, and was proud of his Texas heritage. The hardships he faced during the Great Depression taught him compassion for those struggling to make a living that manifested itself through a lifetime of giving, both personally and financially, to his employees, community and family. The King family moved to Tyler in 1940 when Henry King became a partner with Joe Byers in the local Chevrolet dealership. Jack King graduated from Kemper Military School of Boonville, Missouri, and like his father, enlisted in the Navy. He attended the Navy's V-12 Program at Tulane University Midshipman's School at Northwestern in Chicago and was commissioned as an Ensign on July 19, 1944. He served throughout the Pacific, piloting amphibious landings in the Philippines and on Okinawa under heavy enemy fire. When asked how he remained calm just prior to landing at Okinawa on Easter Sunday, he replied, "I can see my sister, Jill King Ramey, and the rest of my family worshipping at Marvin United Methodist Church and I am trusting God to watch over me." Jack King was proud to have served his country in the war effort and considered it a privilege to be a part of the Greatest Generation. Following the war, he was discharged from the Navy as a Lieutenant Junior Grade and returned to Texas to attend Southern Methodist University. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta and graduated with a BBA in 1946. He went on to earn his LLB degree at SMU and was admitted to the Texas Bar Association. Shortly after graduating from law school, his father became ill and he returned to help run the family business, where he demonstrated his exceptional business acumen, building King Chevrolet into a brand that was a household name and synonymous with quality and integrity. He taught the importance of those values to his son, Jack M. King, Jr., and they are now a cornerstone of Crown Motor Company. Although business was important to Jack King, he cared deeply for his community. He served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, was Chairman of the Tyler Safety Commission and a lifetime member of the Smith County Peace Officers Association. He was a member of the Board of Stewards for Marvin United Methodist Church, a member of the SMU Board of Development and President of the Tyler Chapter of the SMU Mustang Club. He served on the board of directors for Caballero Life Insurance Company and was Past President of J. Martin Life Insurance Company. Mr. King served as President of Order of the Rose, was a charter member of Sharon Temple of Tyler, and a member of Henry Marsh Bell Masonic Lodge and the Knights Templar Ascension Commandery No. 025. Mr. King is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Bette Huff King of Tyler; a son, Jack Martin King, Jr. and wife Debra Brillhart King of Tyler; two daughters, Caroline King Wylie of Tyler, and Elizabeth King Chilton and husband Thomas Scott Chilton, Sr. of Tyler; sister, Jill King Ramey and husband Honorable Thomas Boyd Ramey, Jr. of Tyler; brother-in-law, Bert Huff and wife Jean of Wichita Falls; grandchildren, Jack Martin King III and wife Frances Duncan King of Dallas, Katherine Noel King of Tyler, Jacquelyn Brillhart King of Tyler, Mary Caroline Wylie of Tyler and Lubbock, Virginia Lane Wylie of Tyler and Lubbock, Thomas Scott Chilton, Jr. of Tyler, and Claire Elizabeth Chilton of Tyler; nieces and nephews, Thomas Boyd Ramey III and wife Gina of Tyler, Henry King Ramey and wife Lynn of Tyler, Claire Ramey Turner and husband Terry of Dallas, Ann Elizabeth Shelton and husband Thom of Dallas, Jennifer Huff Estes and husband Craig of Wichita Falls, Bert Huff, Jr. and wife Missy of Wichita Fallas; and many great nieces and nephews. Memorial services for Jack Martin King, Sr., 84, of Tyler will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. Michael Dent, Dr. John Robbins, and Dr. Phil Hook officiating. A private burial will be held in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Pallbearers will be Tim Brookshire, Wood Fair, Denning Key, Whit Riter, Dr. Pat Thomas, Hardy Johnson, Jim McCain, Henry Bell, Smith Reynolds III, Steve Stephenson, Velman Browning, Carlos DeCos, and Jerry Barrier. Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Brookshire, James Fair, James McCain, James Reynolds, Otis Crow, and members of the Wednesday Morning Bible Class, Dr. Phil Hook, Bruce Brookshire, Dr. Pat Thomas, Jack Davidson, Frank Budde, Allen Locklin, and Harold Beaird. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler, Texas 75703. Memorials in honor of Jack Martin King, Sr. may be made to Marvin United Methodist Church, 300 West Erwin, Tyler, Texas 75702; Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75702; Youth With A Mission, P.O. Box 3000, Garden Valley, Texas 75771; Salvation Army, 633 North Broadway Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75702; or to a charity of your choice.

Jack King,

September 30, 1923 - March 23, 2008