Charles H. King

Charles H. King, 92, of Willard Avenue, Wakefield, Chief Warrant Officer and decorated 30 year veteran of the United States Army & Navy, died Monday. He was the husband of Ruth A (Gee) King for 64 years. Born in Baltimore, MD, he was a son of the late Charles and Marie (Bonfe) King. He attended grammar school in Narragansett, St Paul’s High’s School in Baltimore, and attended the University of Maryland. Mr. King joined the U.S. Navy in Brooklyn, NY in March of 1937. He trained at the Newport Training Station in RI. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Nitro Ammunition Ship, stopping off at Haiti, Cuba and Panama. Then he was assigned to the Heavy Cruiser, the U.S.S. Astorian out of Long Beach, CA. He saw duty on the Yanize River, Japan, China, Hawaii and Manila. He also went looking for the missing plan of Amelia Earhart. Mr. King was order to pick up the ashes of the Japanese Ambassador of the USA, back to Yokohama from Washington, DC, during WW II. He also worked at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard as a Rigger in Hawaii. After serving in the US Navy, he served as a Paratrooper with the 13th and 82nd Airborne Divisions of the US Army. He saw action in Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns. In 1951 he was activated a part of the RI National Guard 43rd Infantry Division and the 169th Antiaircraft Artillery. He also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars, retiring after 30 years of service to his country. He was a life member of the Retired Officer Association the Military Order of Sojourness, and the General Pershing Lodge 62 AF & AM in France.. He served as Past Commander of the VFW Post 619, member of the American Legion Post 39, served as Past-President of the South Kingstown Lions Club, and was awarded the Melih Jones Fellow for dedicated humanitarian services of the Lions Club International Foundation, served as Past President of the South Kingstown PTA, a member of the South Kingstown Police Reserve, the Scottish Rite, and the North Kingstown Stamp Club. After WW II he and his brother owned and operated a restaurant on Robinson Street. He was in the food service business and managed many restaurants and clubs before retiring in 1967. He loved golfing and skiing. Besides his wife he is survived by a son, Steven King of Wakefield; four grandchildren, Kevin King, Christine Short, David King and Brett Geaber; two great-grandchildren, Olivia Short and Ella King. He was the father of the late Diane Geaber, and brother of the late Robert T. King. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM Thursday at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. Burial will follow in White Brook Cemetery, Carolina. Visiting hours are respctfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the South Kingstown Lions Club, PO Box 87, Wakefield, RI 02880-0087.