Owen Eugene King, Sr.

Owen Eugene King, Sr.

Dec. 18, 1937 - July 20, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- Owen Eugene King, Sr., age 77, passed away Monday, July 20, 2015, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

Owen was born Dec. 18, 1937, in Cedar Bluffs, Kansas, to Jim and Mabel (Kuhns) King. When he was two, the family moved to Oberlin so his oldest brother, Merle, could attend high school. Owen attended Decatur Community High School until he joined the Navy.

On Jan. 14, 1955, Owen joined the U.S. Navy and served for 20 years. He retired on July 1, 1974, in Jacksonville, Florida. He served on aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War, achieving Petty Officer First Class. He was a parachute rigger and took care of the pilot's flight gear. During his years in the Navy, he received four good conduct medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Vietnam Campaign Medals and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

He married Sharon Kay Morgan in McCook on May 13, 1957, at Memorial United Methodist Church Youth Chapel. To this union three children were born and a niece was adopted into the family. While still in the Navy, Owen and his family lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, Pleasanton, California, Lemoore, California, San Diego, California, and Jacksonville, Florida. After retirement, the family moved back to Oberlin, where Owen opened an upholstery shop and later added a Christian bookstore. In 1982, the business was moved to McCook, where it served the community for three more years. In 1986, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Owen worked for the Army Corps of Engineers until he retired, again, in March of 2001.

Owen was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook. Through the years, Owen served in many ways and on boards of the churches the family attended. He was also a member of the Mountain Slope No. 186 AF and AM Masonic Lodge of Oberlin, Kansas; the Elks Lodge in Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Lifetime VFW member; and a volunteer EMT while living in Oberlin. Owen was very active in the Elks Lodge and served on the board as trustee for several years.

After retirement, Owen and Sharon traveled across the country, visiting family and friends and just enjoying the "good life" until health concerns required the "quiet life." His greatest joy was whenever he got to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Owen Eugene King, Jr; brothers, James (Merle) and Glenn; and sisters, Thelma Perrigo, Nadiene Shewey and Dixie Hashenberger.

Owen is survived by his wife, Sharon of McCook; son, Dennis (Tarri) of Chesapeake, Virginia; daughters, Denice Quinn of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Mabel Dawn of Oakland, California; brother-in-law, Jerry (Judy) Morgan of San Tan Valley, Arizona; sister-in-law, Diane (Wayne) Bryant of McCook and Audrey King of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 15 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren, plus nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Memorial services are 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2015, at Memorial United Methodist Church Youth Chapel with Rev. Dr. Doug Griger officiating. Inurnment will be in the Oberlin Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his name to the American Diabetic Association, Nebraska Affiliate, 14216 Cayton Circle, Suite 6, Omaha, NE 68137 and the Alzheimer's Association, 207 West 29th St., Suite B, Kearney, NE 68845.

Friends may send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements