John "Jack" Ira King

John “Jack” Ira King, 83, of Leesburg, FL, formerly of Evansville, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2015, at his home in Leesburg. He was born February 4, 1932, in Evansville, to the late Ira Paul and Ruth Emma (Orr) King.

He owned and operated Empire Building Products, Inc., retiring in 1984 after 22 years in business. He furnished many of the buildings in and around the tri-state with all types of special building materials, as well as handling many out of state jobs. He was a Brick Mason with Local #1 prior to starting his own business. He was a member of Oak Hill Church of Christ, lifetime member of VFW Post #1114, lifetime member of Doors and Hardware Institute, where he was an architectural hardware consultant and certified door consultant for over 20 years. He was past president of the Indiana and Kentucky Hardware Club. He was a 1950 graduate of Bosse High School, where he played football and ran track. After graduation he joined the navy and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was stationed on the USS Fletcher DDE 445, where he served three years, receiving three Battle Stars during the fighting of Inchon, Wonson, and Puson. The Fletcher was the first ship in Korea and was part of the 7th Fleet. Jack also served five months on the Aircraft Carrier USS Sicily CVE 118 in Korean waters.

Jack is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy V. (Wood) King of Leesburg, FL; daughter, Denice E. (Michael) Stevens of Eustis, FL; son, John A. (Aggie M.) King of Saint Johns, FL and Burbank, CA; and grandchildren, Heather (Michael) Houser of Orlando, FL, John M. Stevens of Evansville, Tara J. King of Beverly Hills, CA, and Natalie J. King of Walnut Creek, CA.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Terry Liles, with burial in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may visit Wednesday from 2:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778, to Oak Hill Church of Christ in Evansville, or to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.