James Ray “Jim” King, the son of Thomas Ray, Jr. and Doris Belle (Asbury) King, was born September 27, 1949, in Maryville, Missouri. He attended Westboro High School, Westboro, Missouri, graduating in 1967. In June of 1969, Jim entered the United States Navy and proudly served his country as an active service member and reservist for over 24 years, retiring March 31, 2008.

In May of 1969, Jim was united in marriage to Ponya Harper at the Westboro United Methodist Church. They made their home in Westboro and became the parents of three children, Nic, Chris and Crystal. Jim owned and operated King’s Breeding Stock. He then purchased a truck and for a short time drove locally for Roger Bess. He then was employed for numerous long haul trucking companies as an owner operator over-the-road truck driver.

Jim was a member of the Merrill-Smith American Legion Post # 32, Westboro, The Forty and Eight, the United Methodist Church, Westboro, and was a former Westboro volunteer fireman. Jim passed away Friday, January 15, 2016, at Elm Heights Care Center, Shenandoah, Iowa, at the age of 66.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include wife of 46 years, Ponya King, Westboro; sons, Nic King and wife, Lauren, Maryville, and Chris King and wife, Beverly, Tarkio, Missouri; daughter, Crystal Branson and husband, Justin, Shenandoah; grandchildren, Josie King, Andruw and Aydnn King and Ryleigh Branson; special sister-in-law, Janeen Harper, Westboro; brothers-in-law, Marvin Harper and wife, Mary, Barnard, Missouri, and Randy Harper, Cheney, Nebraska; sisters, Donna Baker and Karen Perry, both of Alabama; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services:
10:30 A.M., Tuesday, January 19, 2016, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri.
Inurnment: Center Grove Cemetery, Westboro
Open visitation begins 9:00 A.M., Monday, January 18, 2016, Davis Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 P.M.
Memorials: American Cancer Society or Atchison County 4-H
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com