Richard W. “Dick” King, Sr., (a.k.a., “Sarge”), beloved husband, father, brother, son and grandfather, passed away on Thursday, December 28 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 74 years old.
He was born April 29, 1943 in Eaton, NY, the second of three sons of the late John J. and Gertrude E. (Walker) King. Dick attended Hamilton Central School (HCS), where he met his beloved wife, Trudy Louise Waters (Fabius, NY). They were married December 13, 1963 and remained inseparable until her passing on March 15, 2005 after 42 years of marriage.
Dick was a machinist at the Earlville Paper Box Co. from 1963 until retiring in 2005. He also drove milk truck for a brief period of time for J & D Trucking. He was a longtime NASCAR fan, from his early pit support of Geoff Bodine to his more recent enjoyment of drivers Kasey Khane and Martin Truex Jr., all of whom exhibited Dick’s own personality of subtlety, compassion and support for the underdog. He was also a passionate outdoorsman with an affinity for nature, golf, dogs and auto mechanics.
Surviving are three children: sons Richard W. King Jr. (Rome, NY), Michael King (Houston, TX), and daughter Deborah and her husband Mark Edick of Hamilton, NY. Also surviving are brothers and sisters-in-law, John “Jack” and Carol (Martin) King of Hamilton; James and Jill (Jantzen) King and their son Kevin of Thomasville, NC. Dick also is survived by five grandchildren: Cullen, Brendon and Chloe King of Houston, TX; Dan Edick and his significant other Delaney Ostrander of Westmoreland, NY; and Lynsi Chrisman of Norwich, NY. He was also pre-deceased by his beloved grandson Ben Edick of Westmoreland, NY.
Funeral services will be held at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 25 Broad St., Hamilton, at 7pm on Thursday January 4th 2018.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday evening from 4-7 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.
Interment will take place at the Smith’s Valley Cemetery, Randallsville, NY, at a later date to be announced by the family.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Inc., 4277 Middlesettlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413 or Kyle Petty’s Charity Ride and Victory Junction camp www.kylepettycharityride.com/donate.php.
To send a condolence and sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com