This was the eulogy read by Paul Heinecke (Jim's grandson) at Jim's memorial service in Indiana:

For those who knew Jim, he was a man of habits. His life was lived by the rhythm of days, seasons, and years.  In his later years, he maintained a habit with Vicki and Chris: every morning and evening, he'd send an email to let them know “All is Well.”  When they heard from him, they were less worried about his well-being.  When they didn't hear from him, they'd call to make sure he was all right, and he'd reply, “I'm sorry, I fell asleep watching a movie on Turner Classic Movies.”

He was an engineer his entire life. He was an electronics engineer, a software developer, and a communications network designer.  Much of what he worked on was cutting edge.  He designed color television technology at the dawn of the consumer electronics age.  One of his first software applications in the late 1960s was a point of sale program; he showed vendors how they could take orders across the country with a keyboard connected to a phone line, and how the sale could be instantly transmitted to their office.  When he moved to Michigan, he developed and maintained a data network for Ford's electronics division.  He traveled to many places, including Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chihuahua Mexico and Sao Paolo Brazil.

After he retired, he had more time for things like travel and golf.  He volunteered at Kiwanis in Ann Arbor, repairing electronics in their thrift store. He worked on his home and helped neighbors when they needed it.  He was so attentive to one neighbor's cat that the cat started visiting his home for a bite to eat.  With home repairs, he was ingenious and creative. It seemed as if there was nothing he couldn't analyze and fix.  One neighbor remarked how he could think through a problem and come up with a solution for just about any home repair they had.

He liked to cook but let Joanna do the cooking.  After she passed, he re-discovered his love for cooking and was known for his goulash and his “Polish Pork Chops.”  He liked cooking at Vicki's home in Colorado as well.

He loved watching the NFL and picking teams with friends and relatives.  In his later years it was one of the things he used to keep his mind busy.  He maintained records of those picks for years.

Jim and Chris bonded through their common love for electronics.  When Chris was younger, he and Jim would tinker on small projects together.  They developed a tradition of going to the Hamvention in Dayton every Father's Day.  When Dad couldn't ride to Dayton anymore, they would hit the electronics flea market in Monroe, Michigan.

It's difficult to look on Jim's life and the many things that he did, and summarize it in a neat way. He was a man, a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a husband, a father, a stepfather, a grandfather, a friend, a soldier, a co-worker, a volunteer…. and there are probably a few more titles that could be added.  But he lived out all of his relationships with integrity and quality.

As a father, he'd tell his children, “One day you may only have each other, and you need to stick together.” He modeled that by remaining loyal to his friends and family through thick and thin. He never let long distance hinder a relationship. After he moved to Philadelphia in 1960, he made regular trips to Indiana to see his family.  When he moved to Michigan in 1977, he was able to make more frequent trips, which continued until just a couple of years ago. As recently as last June, he said he wanted to visit Colorado one more time.

He was a devoted grandfather, to both his and June's grandchildren.  He continued those relationships after June passed.  There were outings to the golf course, the driving range, and the putt putt course. There were games of Othello and chess. Songs were sung, especially “Bushel and a Peck.” 

Many people remember his 3 by 5 cards. They were always in his pocket with a little clip, where he dated them and recorded his activities.  He'd used them to learn and remember names, track his mileage, and record who he'd visited.  He continued using them until about a month ago.

He lived his life with integrity, and finished it with grace.  Chris and Judy were at his side on his last day.  Vicki called en route from Colorado; she sang “Bushel and a Peck” to Jim over the phone.  He then seemed to say to himself, “All is Well.” and he departed.  We too say to him “All is Well”, and “God Speed”.

Our Dearest Jim, there is not a book large enough that could hold all the memories and record the incredible influence you have had on each one in our family. You have held a special place in everyone's hearts. For nearly 30 years, you have been there for birth, death, illness and heartbreak, joyful celebrations, music concerts, prom, recitals, plays, baseball, Boy Scout events, football and volleyball, nearly every Christmas and Easter, many trips together, and more family dinners and birthdays than anyone could count. We loved our prayer together around the table of so many family meals which became weekly after Mom (June) died. You became such an intimate part of our lives.

You were there when we moved so many times and one year you, Rick and Linda were business partners for a house building project that was successful for all of us.  We enjoyed the work and the reward from that experience as you had never done anything like that before. We took you to a camp where you shot a bow and arrow for the first time and fished with the kids though that wasn't your favorite thing to do. You brought fun wherever you went.

Amanda's surprise 16th Birthday Party and Kristi's Bridal Shower were at your Club House, as well as the boys Birthday Pool Parties and swimming lessons, so you were there for all those special events. We danced at Polka Festivals and the German Park and met your Dinner for 8 friends.

It was because of you that Amanda was able to live with your Brother Casey and enjoy college in Chicago. You taught the girls to play tennis and the boys golf and Chess. You taught them to be diligent, and how to be a Gentleman and a Scholar. You gave the boys their 1st job, saving and folding plastic grocery bags for your Kiwanis work. Their manners, variety in interests, value for education and fun were influenced by you. You supported anything they wanted to do.
 
Though you did not fully understand Homeschooling, you watched weekly and then told Linda how proud you were of her and the boys. When Erik came into the family, he was another Grandson to love. You were excited to share Engineering and Golf with him and then visited Erik, Kristi and Amanda's home and college in Grand Rapids. Thank you for being the only Grandfather our kids ever had. You were a Father to Rick and a loving Father-in-Law to Linda.

Over the years, you celebrated what everyone was doing and followed all of our excitement with your video camera and that film now tells the story. It tells the story of a loving and faithful man who was very loved by us, his family.

Though we will all miss you deeply, we know that as you now meet God,  he will reward you richly for your sacrificial and faithful love to Mom (June) and all of us. You will forever be in our hearts and someday we will never have to say Goodbye.

All of our love: Rick, Linda, Amanda, Tobin and Trevor Tarantowski, Kristi and Erik Helton

Dear Vicki and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved father.  Your dad was such a sweet man! You shared an awesome relationship that many can only 
hope to share with their father. I know your mom and dad are high fiving one another as they look down with pride..on their children and families saying "we did good. ." May your memories be a gentle reminder of of the love and family. .and the bond will never be broken.

We want you to know that it was a great honor to care for such a wonderful, kind, and loving man as Mr. King.  He will always remain with us and we will never forget his laughter, smile, and kindness he extended to everyone around him daily. 
Love, Your Atria Family

Time will heal this first unbearable sharpness and leave in its wake the tenderness of Jim's memory to deepen and sweeten your life.  Jim will be missed by many.

Hi this is the lopez family we go back many years with Jim he was a wonderful person I remember Jim always caring note cards in his front pocket and playing cards on Friday night with Us
Rest in peace Jim
And our prayers go out to the family

Hi Guy! There is so much I will miss but we shared so much.  I look back on 1974-76 when you took me to your work to learn how to program computers - you were ahead of your time! You mentored me at an important time in my life. I'll remember the visits to Colorado: the trips to Flying W and Garden of the Gods, chess and othello games, and the time you went cruising on the boy's Razr scooter! Also, the NFL picks and watching games together. We never let the miles diminish our relationship. Always full of life, with a smile and a good word for everyone.  You didn't tell me how to live; you lived, and let me watch you do it. I love you!

"Kingie"- A man for all seasons, reasons.  It was indeed an absolutely genuine treat for me to have known him for most, if not all of my 27 years at Philco-Ford and Ford, and later in retirement.  Throughout, he was always, a caring an able mentor, a teacher, a friend, and a compatriot one could count on.  “After” Ford we continued to exchange many an e-mail on our common likes and dislikes, be it politics, or stocks and just things.
He taught me “the ways” of EED Rawsonsonville back in the days when Ford and Michigan loomed ahead for us “guys from Philco”.  Many a call between us quickly resolved those seemingly unsurmountable issues confronting us in making our systems “talk” to each other.  How fortunate I was to have been with him in those early days of networking and time-sharing (whatever that was).
He was my “go to guy” for all too many things to list here.
And, there were times when Jim wasn't all electronic and computers with me.
I remember one of Jim's first winter trips to Michigan from Philly.  He boarded the aircraft carrying a snow shovel, the recipient of many jibes from other passengers.  It only lasted till arrival at DTW as Michigan and the parking lot was buried (as usual) under loads of snow.  Jim had the last laugh there! 
How well too, I remember our first conversation about a never before heard (by me) radio-talk show featuring Rush Limbaugh.  I was at Sheldon Road, “Kingie” on the phone at Rawsonville.  We loved it!  Through this and friendly conversations he introduced me to the “right” way and the Conservative School of Thought.  Now, some "left" leaning, unknowing associates might question this, but that's OK; we'll leave them to their strange ways of implementing “Change”. 
I could go on and on in my paying humble tribute in this “Passing of a Giant”.  He earned it in life by generously sharing things with all who came in contact with him.
And lastly, there was in “Kingie” that always-at-the ready smiling face. 
Rest in Peace Jim King 
Semper Fi.

The world will surely miss such a fine man as Jim King. The shadow of his presence and laughter will remain with us during quiet moments for years to come.
Jack Pawlicki & Family

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you today. Jim was an exceptional man, thoughtful, caring, outgoing, and could make a great goulash. He was intelligent, had a solution for everything, and the tools to fix it. He was the most wonderful neighbor we ever could have had these past 21 years. He will be missed but never forgotten.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

James King

15 décembre 1929 – 31 août 2014

Muehlig Funeral Chapel

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