Alfred Thomas King III

Alfred T. “Fred” King III, a child of God, was born March 3, 1946 in Houston Texas, and died April 10, 2015 in Houston, Texas, after battling Post-Polio Syndrome and ALS. He now is rejoicing in Heaven.

Fred was a strong, friendly and helpful person, never too busy to do what he could for people in ways ranging from just offering advice to taking action, whether it was for a friend, colleague, or even a stranger.

Fred is survived by his wife, Jo; his son Tom and wife, Anna of Centennial, Colorado; his daughter Sarah Farmer, of Nacogdoches, Texas; and his stepsons, Jeffrey Parker and wife Katherine; Joel Parker and wife Shana, all of Houston; and his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The eldest of seven children, Fred is also survived by sister Mary and husband Dan Posey of Granite Shoals, Texas; brother Terry King of Robstown, Texas; sister Audrey Vandemark of Kerrville, Texas; brother Tyra King of Kerrville, Texas; brother Alan King of Valparaiso, Indiana; sisters-in-law Margaret King of Timpson, Texas; Kay King of Fredericksburg, Texas; Janet King of Valparaiso, Indiana; Emily Croom and husband Robert Shelby of Bellaire, Texas; aunt Hildred Dempsey; uncle Ross and wife Betty Thornton and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred T. King II and Audrey Thornton King; his first wife of 39 years, Judith Croom, and his brother Tim King.

Fred was an active member of Bellaire United Methodist Church; a faithful member of his Sunday school class; the men’s Wednesday night Bible study; James 1:27, a men’s service group and the Community Bible Study. He loved the Lord Jesus and wanted others to find the strength and comfort he had in Christ.

Fred graduated from Bellaire High School in 1963 with honors. He worked his way through the University of Houston and graduated with a degree in journalism. He was an officer in the Army, serving with armored units in the U.S. and in Korea. An excellent marksman since his youth, he also was a member of the All Army Rifle Team, and taught marksmanship to new recruits.

He loved the outdoors and spent many weekends on his land in Grimes County, where he enjoyed every hunting season for more than 30 years. Family time was very important to him, whether it was big family holiday gatherings, camping or road trips, or helping with handy-man projects.

Fred was a journalist who began his career working for newspapers in Gonzales, Georgetown, and Paris, Texas. He also published a newsletter, Hunting Ranch Business, from 1985 to 1989. He worked at The Houston Post as a copy editor and assistant editor of the editorial page for 18 years. Fred also was a public information officer for the Houston Police Department from 1994 to 2000, and he was the communications coordinator at the Harris County District Clerk’s Office from 2000 to 2008. He was a communications specialist and manager at the Harris County Tax Office from 2008 to 2011. He retired as writer/researcher from the Harris County District Clerk’s office in 2014.

In 2001, The Houston Press dubbed him The Best Public Information Officer in Houston, describing him as helpful to news media by being a “master translator into understandable terms.”

Fred will be missed by his family and a wide circle of friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Boulevard, 77401.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred’s memory may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, Prison Fellowship, or the Salvation Army.