Jerry King

Jerry King, 84, of Robinson, IL, passed away on December 4, 2022, in the comfort of his home. He was born on August 23, 1938, in Robinson, IL, the son of Ermal & Alice (Rich) King, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Phyllis Lloyd on August 17, 1958, and she preceded him in death on July 6, 2013.

He is survived by his children, Karrie & Todd Avery (Warner Robins, GA), Kolen & Cathy King (Carlyle, IL), Kolinda & Tom Duer (College Grove, TN); by his grandchildren, Johnathan & Amanda Avery, Mandalynn & Jonathan Wallace, Tiffany & Damon Ozelek, Hannah Avery, Talisha & Aaron Nyman, Kevin King, Spencer & Lindsey King, Elizabeth & Frank Smith, Alyssa & Sidney Roberts, Victoria & Hunter Riley; by his great-grandchildren, Evan, Owen, Aden, Iain, Rhona, Sorcha, Peyton, Adelynn, Hadley, Noah, Caleb, Mira, Clara, Shilah, Penelope, and Charlotte; by his sister, Judy Parker; as well as several beloved nieces and nephews and in-laws.

A 1956 graduate of Robinson High School, Jerry would further his education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, where he majored in Animal Husbandry. He put his newfound knowledge to work at the Kaskaskia Poultry Farm in Carlyle, IL, where he worked as the general manager for 23 years before moving to Del Rio, TX, to manage his brother-in-law's auto repair shop. Following the death of his father, Jerry moved back to the area and spent the next several years as an animal control officer for Crawford County.

Anyone who knew the man could speak to his love of the outdoors. He spent innumerable hours hunting squirrels and morel mushrooms and enjoyed that certain peace that comes with a fishing rod and reel in hand. A collector of Massey Harris tractors, he could often be found tinkering on one of those or one of his many lawnmowers. It must be said that the man was highly industrious and personified the phrase "Jack of all trades". Though he was a hard worker by any and every account, Jerry viewed Sunday as a day of rest. It was a day for rooting for his beloved Colts football and Cardinals baseball teams, but more than that, it was a day for worship. Simply put, Jerry King was a humble servant of Jesus. The love he had for his Savior was evident in the countless hours he pored over scripture, texts that he was then able to teach out of week after week as a Sunday school teacher at the Porterville First Congregational Christian Church. He also served the church as a song leader and lent his singing voice to numerous revivals and tent meetings as well.

Jerry King filled his years with grit, generosity, and an abundance of God-given joy. He embodied the fruits of the Spirit, and as we reflect on his life, we recognize that what we loved most in Jerry was the Jesus in him. We find peace and are assured that on Sunday, this dear man was met with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

A time of visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 9th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 12:00 p.m., with Rev. Jerry McDaniel officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by visiting www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream .

Burial will be in the Grand Prairie (Eaton) Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to either the "Alzheimer's Association" or the "Oblong Children's Christian Home", with envelopes available at the funeral home.