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James King
Obituary
BELMONT-It is with deep sadness that the family of James "Jay" Thomas King, 73 of Belmont, announce his passing on May 30, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Our sorrow is tempered by the knowledge that he is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He was born August 27, 1941 in Mitchell County, son of the late James Albert King and Cannie Biddix King. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, William King.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Vicki Gallman King; son, Mark King (Lisa); daughter, Michelle "Missy" Asel; stepsons, Tom Miller (Amanda) and Bryan Miller (Caroline); brother, Johnny King (Vicky); sisters, Barbara Frye (Cecil), Mary Ball, Myrtle Callahan, Patricia Moon (Cecil); grandchildren, Sarah, Annah and Jason King, Lillian Asel, Sydney and Parke Miller, Hannah and Avery Miller; great-grandchildren, Maddie Barnhart and Maddox Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jay grew up in the mountains of North Carolina with little more than a roof over his head, the steadfast love of his large family, and an abiding faith in God. When his father died at age 39 from tuberculosis, the really hard times set in for him, his mother and his six siblings. Times were tough but the King family was tougher. Through the good times and the bad, his family prevailed and knew that their lives were dependent upon the love and mercy of the Lord.
In 1978, Jay built the first Kingsway convenience store and grew that business over the years to a total of eighteen. Jay was an extremely smart man who loved the thrill and challenge of building his business. In 2006, he purchased the two Dairy Queens in Gastonia to expand his business. With all this, Jay was an extremely caring, compassionate, and generous man who cared about his employees and helped them by giving to them and mentoring them. Jay thought nothing about giving away money, possessions and advice but most all his joy was found in being with his family. He is deeply loved and missed.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday June 3rd at 2 p.m. at Bethlehem Church, 3100 Bethlehem Church St., Gastonia, officiating Pastor Dickie Spargo.
The family will receive friends Tuesday June 2nd from 6-8 pm at the church.
Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Belmont.
Arrangements are with Green Funeral Service. Condolences may be made online at greenefuner-al.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Jay's favorite charity, St Jude's, Hospice of Gastonia, or to his Bethlehem church.
Published in Gaston Gazette on June 1, 2015
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Jeannie Lewis (Phillips)
So sorry about Jay's passing away. He was one of the nicest people I've ever known Condolences and love to his wife and family. I can just see him dancing in heaven with the angels.
Richard Jordan
Jay sat behind me in Miss Stacups 10th grade home room. One morning he leaned up and whispered to me that he was quiting school to go to work in a service station. I tried my best to talk him out of it, but he dropped out anyway. Next year in 11th grade, I quite school to work in a grocery store. The good news is both us of saw the error of our ways and returned to graduate in 1960. I reqret not being about to see him at our 55th this year. You did well my friend.
Jake Black
I remember Jay King in school and he always seem to be working. I don't know if classmates really know how successful Jay was in business and with family. Jay had 18 Kingsway stores that were high volume and 2 Dairy Queens; what an accomplishment in itself; but family was even more important. Everything I've heard about him has been so positive and I've always been proud of him. As we fight the aging battle, I've learned to understand that NOW is the time to express our appreciation and thanks to each other. I wish I would have with Jay and others in time. I love my classmates; we had a bond that is still so strong.
Claudia Hill (Conrad)
So sorry to learn of Jays passing. Jay and I grew up in the same neighborhood. Jay did not come from a weathly family, so he went to work at an early age. He learned how to make a dollar and expaned his business many times over. Jay always greeted me with a hug anywhere we ran across each other. We know he is in a better place, but I will certainly miss a great friend. Rest in Peace friend.
Love to you, Claudia
Chip Brunnemer
Wow Jay! Seems to me if we formed a company of classmates, based on your earthly accomplishments you would certainly be on the board of directors. I wish I had known you better. My loss. It seems you faced down many obstacles on your journey, but were bouyed by your large family and your love of God. You lived your life well, and you will be remembered fondly. God bless you and your family.
Chip
Claudia Hill (Conrad)
Sorry for the passing of Jay T. He was a friend for many, many years. I first got to know him when he ran the Shell station on the corner of Hwy 321 & Rankin St. We had really looked forward to seeing JayT at our high school reunions. He was a wonderful person and a very astute businessman.
Roland Conrad
Jim Mauney
Jay and I became friends at Ashley High when he was taking Auto Mechanics and I was taking Industrial Drafting. We found a commonality in our love for cars. Of course, it was Jay teaching me, non reciprocal.
In later life our two boys (Mark King and Jay Mauney) played Pop Warner Football on the same teams. Later at Ashbrook, they both were wrestlers on the same team, so we saw Jay and family regularly. The last time I saw Jay was at Hillbilly Bar B Que on Garrison. He was headed to a western dance party and we were going shagging. We both had a love of music and dancing, a love of Lake Wylie living and many family memories from our boys being friends.
Jay always generously helped with our reunion, furnishing drinks, water, etc. Jay had a beautiful house on Lake Wylie and was very succesful in his business life. No one deserved success more than he! He remained just as humble when he became wealthy as he did when he was working at one of the local gas stations.
I will miss you Jay! Thank you for being a classmate and a friend!