George McCown King, 84, of Raeford, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care in Pinehurst following a decline in health.
He was born in Florence, South Carolina on November 1, 1932 to the late Rhea McCown and Walter Leek King. He graduated from McClenaghan High School in June 1950. He attended The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was a member of the Summerall Guards, an elite silent drill platoon. He was "A" Company Commander his senior year and graduated in May 1954. He married the former Charlotta Coward in August 1954, to whom he was married 59 years. She predeceased him in 2013.
He served two years in the U.S. Army. Following military service, he began his career in textile manufacturing. In 1963, he joined Burlington Industries and began at the Menswear Combing Plant followed by the Finishing Plant, both located in Clarksville, Virginia. In 1972, he transferred to the Burlington Menswear Dyeing Plant in Raeford, where he completed 32 years of service with retirement in 1995.
He was active in the Raeford United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School in the Bob Lewis Bible Class. He served on Administrative Board, Council on Ministries and supported in meal preparation for Wednesday Night Supper. He was President of the Clarksville, Virginia Lions Club. While in Raeford, he served as Zone Chairman, District 31F Lions International and Deputy District Governor, District 31F.
He is survived by his two daughters, Polly King Jordan and husband, John of Raeford, and Charlotta King Howell and husband, David, a Raeford native, of Clarksville, Virginia; his son, George McCown King Jr. and wife, Roxanne of Spartanburg, South Carolina; and granddaughter, Elizabeth McCown King of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his cousin, Dr. Edgar David Charles III and wife, Allison of Westfield, New Jersey and their children, Evelyn, Henry and Hayden.
The funeral will be officiated graveside by the Rev. Brian Wingo at Raeford Cemetery on E. Central Avenue at 11 A.M. on Friday, December 23, 2016. Visitation will be graveside, following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Raeford United Methodist Church, 308 N. Main Street, Raeford, North Carolina 28376. Arrangements are in the care of Crumpler Funeral Home of Raeford, North Carolina. Online condolences may be made at
www.crumplerfuneralhome.com