Earl G. King

Earl G. King, age 88 of Detroit Lakes, MN died Wednesday September 22, 2010 at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes. Earl George King was born on November 12, 1921 in Frazee, MN to Leroy J. and Lillian Edna Collins King. He served in the United States Army from 1942-1945 in the 383rd Infantry Regt. His military specialty was Intelligence. He was wounded on the island of Leyte and spent 13 months in various hospitals. Upon his discharge he had attained the rank of Sergeant. He received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for gallantry on Oct. 26, 1944 for voluntarily risking his life for his patrol and comrades. His other medals included the WWII victory ribbon, the Philippine liberation ribbon with two bronze stars, a combat infantry badge ribbon with one bronze star, a good conduct ribbon and an expert rifle ribbon. Upon his discharge he moved to Detroit Lakes. He began his sheet metal apprenticeship and upon completion he started E. G. King Heating in Detroit Lakes. On June 8, 1946 he was united in marriage to Marjorie Cincush, from this union two sons were born, Gregory George born Aug.22, 1947 and Timothy Earl born Aug. 31, 1948 in Detroit Lakes. Earl sold his business in 1982 and retired to his small farm north of Detroit Lakes. Earl was very civic minded and in 1956 became the Commander of VFW Post 1676 in Detroit Lakes. He also was a past president of the Jaycees, Water Carnival Admiral, and also received "Man of the year" from the D.L. Jaycees. Earl was also active at Trinity Lutheran Church and helped build the new church. His main project was making the steeple out of stainless steel and attaching it to the church. He was instrumental in starting Emmanuel Community and later was a resident at the Lamplighter Apartments and also at the Cottages. Following the death of his first wife, Marjorie, he later married Irene Sharp. They spent many happy years together. He and Irene headed up the clothing project for the local chapter of the DAV by gathering clothes and other goods from the area, packing them and delivering them for shipment. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years, hunting deer, black powder rifle hunting in MN and Colorado. He also raised ducks for the Wildlife Assn. and enjoyed fishing and camping with his sister Shirley and husband Dean Nelson. Earl enjoyed Godchr(39)s great outdoors. Earl came to realize later in life that he needed to make a confession of his faith and accepted Christ as his Savior and made Christ the Lord of his life, the same faith that his parents had instilled in him as a child. Earl is survived by one son, Timothy King, of Storden, MN; Wanda King, of Mpls, MN; one granddaughter, Victoria; two great grandchildren, Benjamin and Isla; and from his marriage to Irene he acquired three stepchildren, Gale (Carol) Sharp, of Vergas, MN; Suzanne (Steve) Damlo, of New York; and Lynette (Kevin) Wermager, of Colorado; six grandchildren, Stephani, Shawn, Sara, Chad, Ryan, and Jared, eight great grandchildren, Taelor, Cate, Clare, Madison, Matthew, Stephen, Abigail, and Cale; one brother, Rev. John (Louise) King, of S. Carolina; three sisters, June Ellgen, of Colorado, Shirley (Dean) Nelson, of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Virginia (LaVern) Bitterman, of Billings, MT; sister in law, Vivian King, of Nixa, Missouri; and brother in law, Herbert Cole, of Colorado. He was preceded in death by, son Gregory (1976), 1st wife, Marjorie (1986), 2nd wife, Irene (2008), parents, one sister, Joyce Cole, and seven brothers, Cecil, Rev. James, Rev. Gerald, Robert, Rev. Leslie, Monroe, and Allen King. The King family extends to all the staff of Emmanuel Community a heartfelt "Thanks" for taking care of Earl. He was very appreciative of the care received from each one.