J. C. King
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J. C. King
January 29, 1947 ~ November 2, 2025
JC King, age 78 of Winfield, TN, passed away peacefully at his home on November 2, 2025, surrounded by his family and loved ones. In the 78 years that JC lived, he was so many things to so many people, a son, a brother, a hero, a husband, a daddy, a papaw, an uncle, and a friend.
Born the tenth son to the late Robert and Julie King on January 29, 1947, in Strunk, Kentucky, JC grew up in a big family where hard work and heart ran deep. He spent his childhood tending to the fire, feeding the animals, and spending long summer days cutting tobacco to save enough money to buy his first car, a 1951 Ford, at just 14 years old. This is where we can only assume his lifelong love of cars began. He was a member of the Mt. Pleasant United Baptist Church, where he was saved and baptized in April 1960.
In high school, JC could always be found on the basketball court. Despite his shorter height, he was a force that couldn’t be reckoned with; determined, tough, and full of grit. Not long after graduating in 1966, he found himself in the jungles of Vietnam. JC proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Sergeant. His service took him to many parts of the world, including two tours in Vietnam. He earned numerous commendations for his bravery and leadership. While serving, he was wounded twice and received two Purple Hearts — one, as he always said, “for each of my girls.” JC was personally presented his Purple Heart by U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey aboard the USS Benewah in the South China Sea on October 30, 1967. After his distinguished military service, JC returned home to the life he knew best, one built on hard work and horsepower. Whether it was working in the underground coal mines, behind the wheel of a coal or log truck, or racing around the dirt track in one of his many cars, JC never did anything halfway. Over the years, he logged countless miles and memories as a long-haul truck driver, proudly retiring with a career where his name was on the doors of several rigs, driving across the country.
In retirement, JC enjoyed restoring his classic cars and spending time in the garage tinkering. If he wasn’t elbow-deep in a motor, you could find him beside his beloved wife, Angela Anderson King, at a car show, cruising Route 66, or on the road with his travel companions: Bill, Willie, the late Jack West, M.C., Cheryl, and Carl. When he wasn’t on the road, he was the happiest taking care of his girls and spoiling his grandkids.
Somewhere along life’s winding roads, JC met Angela, his opposite in all the right ways, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and family. They raised two daughters, Brooke and Alicia (Ricky), both of Winfield, Tennessee. His greatest pride came from being “Papaw” to his five grandchildren: Madison, Ethan (Madison), Maddox, Ian, and Mazlan.
JC is also survived by his brothers Robert Jr., Alfred, and Ronald King, and his sister Velma, all of Strunk, Kentucky. Along with Troy Richardson of Winfield, Tennessee, who was like a son to him. He also shared a special bond with his niece, Sherrie Price of Somerset, Kentucky.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers and a sister. Chester, Sylvester, George, Clyde, Hayden, Leonard, and Ruby.
To know JC was to learn strength, humor, and the way he loved his family deeply, fiercely, and without limits. He lived with grit, laughed often, and left behind stories that will be told for generations.
“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day — unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.”
Friends may visit with the King family on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home with Bro. Jason Laxton officiating. Obituary reading by Willie Boyatt. Committal service will follow in the Mill Springs National Cemetery in Nancy, KY, with full Military honors being presented at 2:30 p.m.
Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of JC King.
