Douglas T. King

WEST YARMOUTH - Douglas T. King, of West Yarmouth, formerly of Chatham, passed away on Wednesday April 11, 2012 at the age of 88. He was the beloved husband of Claire (Tracy) King for nearly 66 years. Doug was born on July 16, 1923 in Newton, Massachusetts to Ralph W. and Mary E. (Treat) King. He and Claire met at Newton High School on Valentine’s Day and were married in May, 1946.

Doug’s education at Northeastern University was interrupted by World War II, when he served as a Naval Aviator in the Pacific theater. After the war Doug graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in mechanical engineering. He held positions of increasing responsibilities at Fenwal in Ashland, Massachusetts, Wilcolator in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Smithcraft in Wilmington, Massachusetts. In 1973 he was elected a Vice President of the American Gas Association, employed first in Washington, D.C. and later in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1984, Doug and Claire retired to Chatham, Massachusetts where he was a long-time volunteer for the American Red Cross as both a driver shuttling patients to Boston hospitals and an active fundraiser, spending countless hours maintaining the database and producing mailings. He enjoyed gardening and traveling, and was an enthusiastic member of the Mariner/Marlin Association, the Chatham Retired Men’s Association, and the Monomoy Yacht Club. An avid boater, he particularly enjoyed days spent on Chatham’s South Beach with his children and grandchildren.

In 2008, Doug and Claire moved to the Mayflower Place Retirement Community and fell in love with its warm and friendly atmosphere and numerous activities.

In addition to his loving wife Claire, he is survived by a son, Richard W. King and his wife Valerie; two daughters, Linda J. King and her husband John Feeney, and Cheryl A. King and her husband Bernard Zimmermann; three grandchildren, Loren Fitzpatrick, Emily Zimmermann and Paul Zimmermann; and a brother-in-law, Norman H. Tracy. He was predeceased by his sister, June King.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Paul Evans and Dr. Charles Haffajee for their thoughtful medical care during Doug’s illness.

A private burial service with military honors was held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 at the First Congregational Church of Chatham. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601, or the First Congregational Church of Chatham, 650 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633.