Obituary for John Fitzpatrick King, Sr.
John Fitzpatrick King, Sr., age 59, loving father of seven and devoted husband to Terri, was called home on Friday, December 24, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Louisville on November 1, 1962 to M. Rose Burch King and James O. King, Sr., John was the youngest of eight. After his parents separated early in his childhood, his mother sacrificed greatly for him to attend St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic School. He was very proud of her efforts and followed in her example, working diligently with the help of others to attend Trinity High School, where he graduated in 1980.
In the initial stages of John’s professional career, he became a renowned disc jockey with an ear and taste for music that was unparalleled. He caught the attention of a beautiful young woman named Terri and although she did her best to play coy, John was persistent. After his third proposal of marriage, the two were wed. They started a family and raised their children; Nicole, Lindsay, Lauren, Jillian and John, Jr. in a home where the kids always felt prioritized and loved. He was a doting, active father for each of them. In later years, John and Terri went on to raise their granddaughters, Alexus and Olivia, whom they also showered with unwavering, unconditional love. John was incredibly proud of his seven children.
After moving on from behind the DJ booth, John continued his career in the food and beverage industry where he held executive positions. In 2005, John joined his beloved brother, the late James (Jim) O. King, Jr. in banking as Vice President of Asset Management at the family owned King Southern Bank. King Southern was sold to Stock Yards in 2019 and John went on to serve as the Director of Development for the Waterfront Botanical Gardens.
John’s work ethic and dedication went beyond his own career ambitions. He had a tremendous servant’s heart and was passionate about his community and making an impact. He dedicated so much of his time and energy to the causes that he believed in, and always stepped in where he knew he could make a difference.
He championed the “Path to GReatness” Capital Campaign at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic School and spearheaded re-establishing their highly successful Pre-K program. He served as project manager over the recent renovation of the church and had plans in place to do the same for the following stages of this project, which are now in progress.
John was blessed with a captivating voice that commanded attention. He utilized that gift for many years as the announcer for Assumption High School volleyball. He also took on a notable role as a sideline radio announcer for the Trinity High School football program for more than a decade. He was a member of the Trinity Alumni Board of Directors until 2014, serving as the Board’s chair for three years. In 2015, he was presented the prestigious Honor Alumnus Award, and most recently in December 2021, he was inducted into the Trinity Hall of Fame.
Committed to honoring his brother, Jim, John also became heavily invested in fundraising for cancer research. He was the recent past chair of the Kentucky/Indiana Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and raised more than $250,000 for the organization. He was named an Honored Hero of the 2021 Light the Night Walk, and his devotion and generosity resulted in recognition as a 2021 WLKY Bell Award Recipient; an honor in which he was very appreciative.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Margaret Rose and James O. King Sr., his brother Jim (Debbie) and his sister Suzanne (J.C.). He is survived by his wife, Terri; his children Nicole, Lindsay, Lauren (Jason), Jillian (Maurice) and John Jr. (Aubrey). He is also survived by his seven grandchildren; Alexus and Olivia King, Kingsley, Kennedy and Maurice Clark, III (expected to arrive in January), Callie and John Fitzpatrick King, III (expected to arrive in March); his siblings, Marilyn, Theda (DK), Debby, Rebecca, Valerie (Jim); and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 31, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Raphael the Archangel Church, 2141 Lancashire Avenue. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. For those that cannot be present, it will be live streamed on the St. Raphael YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/c/StRaphaelArchLou
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 12 - 8 p.m. at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. The King family kindly requests that masks be worn during the indoor portions of these events.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the John F. King, Sr. Scholarship Fund at Trinity High School or the St. Raphael “Path to GReatness” Capital Campaign.
Born in Louisville on November 1, 1962 to M. Rose Burch King and James O. King, Sr., John was the youngest of eight. After his parents separated early in his childhood, his mother sacrificed greatly for him to attend St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic School. He was very proud of her efforts and followed in her example, working diligently with the help of others to attend Trinity High School, where he graduated in 1980.
In the initial stages of John’s professional career, he became a renowned disc jockey with an ear and taste for music that was unparalleled. He caught the attention of a beautiful young woman named Terri and although she did her best to play coy, John was persistent. After his third proposal of marriage, the two were wed. They started a family and raised their children; Nicole, Lindsay, Lauren, Jillian and John, Jr. in a home where the kids always felt prioritized and loved. He was a doting, active father for each of them. In later years, John and Terri went on to raise their granddaughters, Alexus and Olivia, whom they also showered with unwavering, unconditional love. John was incredibly proud of his seven children.
After moving on from behind the DJ booth, John continued his career in the food and beverage industry where he held executive positions. In 2005, John joined his beloved brother, the late James (Jim) O. King, Jr. in banking as Vice President of Asset Management at the family owned King Southern Bank. King Southern was sold to Stock Yards in 2019 and John went on to serve as the Director of Development for the Waterfront Botanical Gardens.
John’s work ethic and dedication went beyond his own career ambitions. He had a tremendous servant’s heart and was passionate about his community and making an impact. He dedicated so much of his time and energy to the causes that he believed in, and always stepped in where he knew he could make a difference.
He championed the “Path to GReatness” Capital Campaign at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic School and spearheaded re-establishing their highly successful Pre-K program. He served as project manager over the recent renovation of the church and had plans in place to do the same for the following stages of this project, which are now in progress.
John was blessed with a captivating voice that commanded attention. He utilized that gift for many years as the announcer for Assumption High School volleyball. He also took on a notable role as a sideline radio announcer for the Trinity High School football program for more than a decade. He was a member of the Trinity Alumni Board of Directors until 2014, serving as the Board’s chair for three years. In 2015, he was presented the prestigious Honor Alumnus Award, and most recently in December 2021, he was inducted into the Trinity Hall of Fame.
Committed to honoring his brother, Jim, John also became heavily invested in fundraising for cancer research. He was the recent past chair of the Kentucky/Indiana Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and raised more than $250,000 for the organization. He was named an Honored Hero of the 2021 Light the Night Walk, and his devotion and generosity resulted in recognition as a 2021 WLKY Bell Award Recipient; an honor in which he was very appreciative.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Margaret Rose and James O. King Sr., his brother Jim (Debbie) and his sister Suzanne (J.C.). He is survived by his wife, Terri; his children Nicole, Lindsay, Lauren (Jason), Jillian (Maurice) and John Jr. (Aubrey). He is also survived by his seven grandchildren; Alexus and Olivia King, Kingsley, Kennedy and Maurice Clark, III (expected to arrive in January), Callie and John Fitzpatrick King, III (expected to arrive in March); his siblings, Marilyn, Theda (DK), Debby, Rebecca, Valerie (Jim); and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 31, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Raphael the Archangel Church, 2141 Lancashire Avenue. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. For those that cannot be present, it will be live streamed on the St. Raphael YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/c/StRaphaelArchLou
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 12 - 8 p.m. at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. The King family kindly requests that masks be worn during the indoor portions of these events.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the John F. King, Sr. Scholarship Fund at Trinity High School or the St. Raphael “Path to GReatness” Capital Campaign.