Patton S. King, Jr.
Patton S. King, Jr. was born Dec. 6, 1926, to Patton Scroggs King, Sr. and Onita Gambrell King in Lockhart, Texas. He died on May 4, 2005, at the age of 78, after a long and valiant battle with cancer, surrounded by all his family in his final weeks.
He graduated from Lockhart High School in 1944 and attended Texas A&M until he entered the U.S. Navy in February 1
945, where he served two years, becoming a radar and radio technician. He graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, with Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of DKE Fraternity, Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Societies. Westinghouse Electric Corporation became his career for 43 years. Graduating from their Westinghouse Student Course, he worked in St. Louis, Mo., Dallas and Houston, where he was District Manager of Utility Sales for 28 years. Participating in the sale and development of the South Texas Nuclear Plant in Bay City was a highlight of his career. During those years he was Chairman of the North Texas Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Chairman of the Dallas Section of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Chairman of the South Texas Section of the American Nuclear Engineering Society. He was a registered Professional Engineer and Life Member of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.
His enthusiasm for life was contagious. Pat had a keen sense of adventure, and his activities included hunting, fishing, camping, water skiing, sailing, and SCUBA diving. Underwater photography was one of his special hobbies. He entertained many audiences with slides of the beautiful spots where he sailed and dived. For 20 years his favorite pastime was sailing a 41-foot ketch, the “Audacious,” in Texas waters, and he survived a 360-degree roll during Hurricane Juan in the Gulf of Mexico. He sailed and dived with friends in the Caribbean, Greece, Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand, the Philippines and Truk Lagoon.
An Eagle Scout, Pat was proud of his two sons who became Eagle Scouts. He served as Committee Chairman for Troop 599 in Houston, Texas, and enjoyed hosting the troop”s annual campouts on the ranch for 36 years.
Pat was a member of Lockhart Masonic Lodge Number 690 and the Lytton Springs Masonic Lodge Number 487. He joined the Hella Shrine in Dallas, Texas, then transferred to the Arabia Shrine in Houston, where he was a member of their singing group, The Chanters. He had recently transferred to the Ben Hur Shrine in Austin. For 25 years he was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Houston.
He was a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association, and hunted for many years.
In 1995, he retired to Lockhart, Texas, and life on the ranch. He became a Life Member of the VFW and the American Legion, serving two years as Commander of American Legion Post 41 in Lockhart, Texas. He helped organize patriotic celebrations held on Patriots Day, Veteran”s Day and Memorial Day, as well as the erection of flagpoles at the Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart, honoring the various branches of the military.
In 1952, Pat married Jimmie Jo (Jody) Edmondson of Mathis, Texas, forming a life long partnership. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, and by his children: Jan King Baumann and Bill Baumann of San Antonio; Patton and Debbie King of Katy, Texas; and James and Miriam King of Kingwood, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Rachel, John and Sarah Baumann of San Antonio; Ryan, Taylor and Thomas King of Katy, Texas; and Spencer and Parker King of Kingwood, Texas. He is also survived by a host of friends and other family members.
A memorial service honoring Pat”s life was held on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lockhart, Texas, with a reception at the Family Life Center at the church following the service. There was a private interment at the Lockhart City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 313 W. San Antonio Street, Lockhart, Texas 78644, or The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486.
Arrangements with Eeds Funeral Home, 408 South Main Street, Lockhart, Texas 78644 (512)-398-2343.
I’m proud to be his niece. He was an inspirational and fearless man. “Keep your eyes on the donut – not the hole!”