Chester E. King Jr.

Chester Eldo King Jr., age 80, of Jeffersonville, Indiana passed away on Christmas Day after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Chester was born in English, Indiana on January 6th, 1943 to the late Chester King and Beatrice (Bledsoe) King. He grew up on an 85-acre farm in English, IN. The fifth child with six siblings, three brothers and three sister. The chores that were assigned to him helped develop his legendary work ethic and paved the way for his second-mile service attitude when it came to helping his family and others. His work career started as a middle schooler at the JayC Store in English. After graduating and marrying his high school sweetheart, Joyce Ann Brown, they migrated to Jeffersonville to be closer to his new job at General Electric. He had an exemplary career as an employee of GE where he retired after 35 and a half years of service. Still eager to lend his services, he worked jobs at Indiana emissions testing, Dave's produce and Childplace to support his habit of spoiling his grandkids to the highest of levels, and foremost, to provide a wonderful life for his dear wife of 60 years.

He loved being surrounded by family and friends playing card games, especially euchre. Fishing, boating, and spending time at Patoka Lake. Countless ball games involving his children and grandchildren. Vacationing in "warm" destinations, eating big breakfasts involving his famous gravy, and creating funny family memories.

A proud citizen of Jeffersonville that rooted for JHS sports teams throughout the years, especially when his daughters and grandchildren participated (special thanks to the creator of the all-sports pass)! A little league coach that fueled his competitive nature by teaching the fundamentals that are not only relevant on the field, but also in life. He also thrived in his civic duties serving the city of Jeffersonville as a member of the Drainage Board for two terms as a commitment to making his hometown a better place for those that choose to live there.

Chester was an avid NASCAR and IU fan that became accustomed to our basketball prowess of the 70's and 80's and joined the rest of Hoosier Nation in waiting for that season where we hang that next banner in Assembly Hall. A skilled handyman with a common-sense approach to solving problems around the house, in the yard, or at work. He was a true vehicle enthusiast partial to Chevy ('55) but tended to favor trucks. He could spend hours fixing, discussing, or driving anything with a motor.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Max King and Eugene King, and a sister, Brenda King; Brother-in-law Dick Hurley.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Ann (Brown); daughters Kim (Nathan) Samuel, and Tonya (Scott) Edwards; 4 grandchildren, Tyler (Heidi) Samuel, Alexis (Bo) (Samuel) Bryant, Marley (AJ) (Edwards) Schmidt and Brayden Edwards; 7 great-grandchildren, Kenna, Max, Major, Alice, Mayson, Maverick, Tabor and one on the way; brother, Dwight (Maxine) King of Seymour; sisters Wanda Hurley of Greenwood and Lynn (Vernie) Canoles of Paoli.

A private celebration of Chester's life was chosen to be held at Kraft Funeral Service, where Chester will be laid to rest at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donate to your favorite charity or simply bless others by some kind gesture to promote faith, hope, and love always.