George King

Memorial services are scheduled at 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 11, at First Presbyterian Church for George F. Tony King of Artesia, New Mexico. Mr. King, 92, died Monday, December 7, 2009 at Artesia General Hospital. Terry McKean will officiate at the services with inurnment at Twin Oaks Memorial Park. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Terpening Son Mortuary. Mr. King was born February 14, 1917 in Trent, Texas; the son of George F. King and Leota Coleman King. He served his country in the United States Army during WW II. Tony was a survivor of the Bataan Death March, and a prisoner of war in Japan. He was also a member of various military bands and orchestras playing the clarinet for parades, retreat ceremonies, and special events. On Sept. 13, 1947 he was married to Dulcie Jane Borland in Carlsbad, N.M. He came to Artesia in 1929 from Texas. She preceded him in death April 27, 2001. He was also preceded in death by his parents; and sisters Molly Barker, and Beth King. He worked as a Postmaster for 37 years before retiring in 1981. He was of the Christian denomination, and former member of the Artesia Kiwanis Club, Disabled Veterans club, and the V.F.W. Survivors include his son Donald King of Casper, Wyoming; daughter Toni Jane Hunt and husband Mark of Carlsbad; sister Jimmy Collier of Roswell, N.M.; 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren.