Ronald King

It is with great sadness that the family of Ronald Mitchell King announces his passing on April 15, 2015 due to complications from a longterm illness.A native of Houma, LA, Ron graduated from Terrebonne High School in 1965 and went on to study marine biology at Nicholls State University. Called away to fight for his country in the Vietnam War, he received several commendations and a bronze star for his service. He worked for The Superior Oil/Mobil Oil Company for most of his adult life before retiring and moving to Tullahoma, TN.Ron's passing has left a terrible hole in our hearts, but we try to remember all of the happy and precious moments we shared with him over his lifetime. He leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Betty Wiley King. He taught her how to cook the ducks that he hunted, how to ride the lawnmower and how to stand by patiently while he worked to hand him whatever tools he needed. Despite being hard to buy for, Ron loved to buy Betty presents and was an excellent provider and a strong and faithful companion throughout their marriage.He also has left behind a daughter, Lisa King, who he taught to change the tires on every vehicle she ever owned. He instilled in her a love for British television, Coca Cola and the Peanuts characters. Though he left her too soon, he made sure to leave her with the knowledge and tools needed to survive and succeed in life.Ron was an avid duck hunter and fisherman who took many neighborhood children under his wing and taught them about wildlife. His home and vehicle are filled with camo, ducks, and fishing gear. Ron enjoyed being the neighborhood handyman on Malibou Drive and also loved to decorate his house in a "Clark Griswold style" for the holidays.He loved working in the yard and spent most of his days outdoors. He loved his home in Tennessee, nestled on several wooded acres with a creek running alongside and deer running through the yard. He had so much to be grateful for and truly enjoyed his time here on earth.In addition to his wife and child, Ron will be missed by his brother Stephen Norman King and his wife Cathy, sister-in-law Dolores King and many nieces and nephews. In death, he has been reunited with his father Henry Mitchell King, his mother Pearl Norman King and his brother James King. We also like to think that his beloved dogs, Pokey and Mesa, are keeping him company in heaven.The family would like to thank the staff of Vanderbilt Hospital's ICU Unit in Nashville as well the entire team at Alive Hospice for all of the wonderful care and sympathy we received. During a time of great difficulty, we were treated with the greatest of compassion and their assistance was truly appreciated. Ron chose not to have a funeral service, and his body has been cremated.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to: Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203.NASHVILLE FUNERAL AND CREMATION