Dr. Charles Cooper King, Jr., of Leighton, Alabama, died peacefully on April 4, 2016. Born on August 28, 1930, Dr. King was eighty-five years old. He was married to the former Rachel Ann Maples of Hartselle, Alabama for sixty-four years. Dr. King is preceded in death by his son, Dr. Charles Cooper King III, and his parents, Alice Turner Cobb King and Charles Cooper King, Sr. Surviving are his wife, Rachel Ann Maples King; daughter Leigh King Forstman (Keith) of Birmingham, Alabama; grandsons Charles Cooper King IV (Leah) of Deatsville, Alabama; William Worth King of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Hartwell King Forstman of Birmingham, Alabama; great-granddaughters Emmy Reese King and Lila Elizabeth King of Deatsville, Alabama; and former daughter-in-law Karen Proctor King Voss (Ronnie) of Killen, Alabama. Dr. King’s legacy is best established through his love of God, his family and his country. Deeply devoted to his family and, most importantly, the love of his life, he wore well the mantle of patriarch for many years. Dr. King was a beacon of light to his loved ones, both spiritually and practically, so that they could find their way in this world.
A 1948 graduate of Colbert County High School, Dr. King served as Vice President of his Senior Class and was a member of the LaGrange Society, Beta Club, Annual Staff, C Club, Glee Club and Football 46-47. He attended Florence State Teachers College for two years before transferring to Auburn University where he completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1952. Upon graduation Auburn University hired him as a Research Associate and he received his Master of Science Degree from Auburn University in 1954. Dr. King entered the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant, serving for two years in the Armored Cavalry at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and being honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. He returned to Auburn University as an Assistant Professor in the School of Agriculture Agronomy and Soils Department where he combined research and teaching. Dr. King obtained his PhD from North Carolina State University at Raleigh in 1964. He successfully climbed the ranks to his desired position of Full Professor, and had numerous Experiment Station and professional journal publications reporting results of his Auburn research.
During his thirty-four years with Auburn University he guided graduate students, served as President of Phi Kappa Phi, was elected Chairman of the Faculty, President of the University Senate and President of Sigma Xi, and was a member of The American Society of Agronomy, Phi Eta Sigma, Gamma Sigma Delta and Omicron Delta Kappa. He served many years as Faculty Advisor for the Beta Theta Chapter of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Dr. King was honored by Auburn University for his work with fescue toxicity.
Upon retirement from Auburn University Dr. King accepted a position with Tennessee Technological University where he taught and researched for eleven more years, also serving for a period as Interim Dean of Agriculture and Home Economics. He received “Excellence in Education” at Auburn University and “Outstanding Faculty” at Tennessee Technological University. Dr. King holds the honor title of Professor Emeritus from both universities.
Dr. King believed in empowerment by education. He spent a lifetime encouraging and helping students further their intellect, while shepherding many through the challenges of academia. In doing so, he displayed a compassion for those seeking knowledge and a genuine desire to see the fruits of their labor improve our society. Having taught students from all over the United States and abroad, he cared deeply for their edification and their success both personally and professionally. Dr. King and his wife presented scholarships annually at both universities, the scholarship at Auburn being in memory of Dr. Charley King and as members of the Samford Society.
A man of unwavering faith, Dr. King held an array of leadership positions within The United Methodist Church. His journey began and ended with Leighton United Methodist Church, and included membership at Auburn United Methodist Church, Grace United Methodist Church and Cookeville First United Methodist Church in Cookeville, Tennessee in the intervening decades. His quiet strength as a leader was of great demand and comfort to those in his midst. Unless he was lecturing, he was a man of few words, but those words were rich with meaning and laced with both wit and wisdom. Even though he deciphered the scientific complexities of this world, he treasured the simple beauty of God’s masterpiece.
Dr. King served the communities in which he lived with a servant’s heart, grace and distinction. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, Director of the Tennessee Valley Historical Society, Community Action Agency and Colbert County Department of Human Resources, member of the American Legion, Treasurer of the Colbert County Cattlemen’s Association and an Honorary Lifetime State Director of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. Dr. King was recognized as part of the Colbert County High School Heritage Walk of Honor. He coached Little League and was involved with the Boy Scouts of America. Upon his retirement he volunteered each year with the Saddle Up for St. Jude Benefit Trail Ride. Dr. King was honored to serve many years as Chairman and Trustee of the King Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc.
Pallbearers are James Gilbert Berryman, Gregg Preuit Blythe, Gordon Preuit Fennel, Mark Lile Fennel, Bryan Keith Forstman, Timothy Garland Harrison, Fred Benjamin King and Leonard Preuit Mauldin. Honorary pallbearers include Allen King Alsobrook, Dr. Marvin W. Barker, Ralph Edward Berryman, Edward Burrows, Gabriel Dewayne Carter, Ricky William Davis, Raymond Leon Fitzgerald, Roland Gene Gargis, Dr. Calvin M. Johnson, James Edward Jones, Paul Everett Jones III, James Briscoe King, Lawrence Henderson King III, Percy Madding King, Jr., Robert Allen King, William Challen King, Robert Lemuel Layton III, Edward Fennel Mauldin, Jr., Macke Buchanan Mauldin, Anthony Jay Olivis, Dr. Kenneth R. Purdy, Troy Edward Trousdale, Peter Jerome Vials, Ronald Steven Voss and Thomas J. Watson.
The body will lie in state at Leighton United Methodist Church beginning at half past one in the afternoon on Friday, April 8, 2016. A Service of Remembrance and Celebration will follow at two o’clock in the afternoon and will be officiated by Reverend Sam Hardie III. Thereafter, interment will take place at the King Cemetery. Family and friends are then invited to a reception at the King Home in Leighton.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Leighton United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 648, Leighton, Alabama 35646.
