Nobal Eugene King, Jr., passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta, Maine.
He was born on December 24, 1931, in Leesburg, Florida, to Cornelia Francis Alexander King and Nobal Eugene King, Sr. He was raised near Columbia, Tennessee. He graduated from Central High School in Columbia in 1949. He attended the University of Tennessee where he was a member of the Signa Phi Epsilon fraternity and graduated with the degree Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Nobal began his career as a chemist with Eastman Chemical Products, where he worked from 1953 to 1962. He served in the United States Army Chemical Corps from 1954 to 1956 and continued serving in the Army Reserves until 1962. He then spent the remainder of his professional career with Hercules Incorporated, holding a variety of laboratory, sales, and marketing positions in Wilmington, Delaware; Cleveland, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Chicago, Illinois.
Following his retirement in 1994, Nobal settled in Kingsport, Tennessee, where he devoted much of his time to serving his community. He found great fulfillment in volunteering with the Kingsport Public Library, Friends of the Library, the Netherland Inn, Holston Habitat for Humanity, Barter Theatre, the Interfaith Hospitality Network, and Meals on Wheels. He later moved to Ponte Vedra, Florida, before relocating to Maine in 2017.
Nobal was preceded in death by his wife, Marty Miles King.
He is lovingly remembered by his sister, Landra King Spieth (Emil) of Charleston, South Carolina; his daughters, Michelle King (Phillip) of Chelsea, Maine and Laura King Velasquez (Humberto) of Cincinnati, Ohio; his son, Jaymes Nobal King (Laura) of Jacksonville, Florida; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren all of whom he enjoyed seeing on their summer trips to Maine. In recent years, his favorite place was sitting on the camp porch visiting with family.
Nobal was a man of unwavering integrity who valued family, honesty, education, and hard work. He genuinely cared for others and lived his life with a spirit of generosity. A true Southern gentleman, he was known for his gracious manners, pursuit of knowledge (evidenced by a love of Trivia), and sincere gratitude for those around him. His example will remain a lasting legacy for all who knew and loved him.
His family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff of the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta for the exceptional care, kindness, and compassion they provided during the final twenty months of his life. Their support brought comfort not only to Nobal but also to his family, who will always be deeply grateful. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Resident Activity Fund, Maine Veteran’s Home, 35 Heroes Way, Augusta, Maine 04330.
