He was born on March 21, 1941 in Wilmington, NC to King and Margaret Bergeron Bostrom. King spent much of his youth in Wilmington enjoying the waters near Whiskey Creek. He graduated from Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC in 1960. After high school, he attended N.C. State University where he received a BS degree in Textile Technology and Design.
King was a proud member of the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi where he served as president in 1964. He enjoyed a lifetime of camaraderie built at Sigma Chi and is part of this Everlasting Shrine of Friendship. The White Cross of Sigma Chi has gained new luster by his life.
King joined the Marine Corps in 1966 and faithfully served as a Marine aviator flying the F-4 Phantom. As a Captain in the US Marine Corps, he loved his country and was "one of the few" and "the proud"! He served with honor and distinction and flew almost 200 missions in the Republic of Viet Nam and Laos. King earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and a number of other awards. He flew missions on what is now immortalized in the movies as "Hamburger Hill". He was a Marine right up to the moment he went on his last flight to Our Lord and probably was in full burner all the way....that was the way he lived his life.
Discharged in 1971, "Semper Fi" continued to hold great meaning to him as many lifelong bonds were forged in Vietnam. King was an Officer, a Gentleman of the South, and a true Patriot.
Following the war, he embraced his entrepreneurial spirit and returned to his love of marketing and sales of designer men's clothing. After many years of successful retail ventures, he retired in 2002 to his roots in Wilmington, NC.
King will forever be remembered for his sharp wit, faithfulness to friends, and the daring nature to be willing to take a risk on something or someone he believed in.
He was preceded in death by his father, King Oscar Bostrom, Sr.; mother, Margaret Bergeron Bostrom; sister, Margaret "Peg" Bostrom Todd; and his faithful black lab, Kyna.
King is survived by Dianne Bostrom of Cary, NC; his son, King Oscar Bostrom,III, and spouse, Angie of Cary, NC; his grandson, King Oscar "K.O." Bostrom, IV; his brother, William Jack Bostrom, and spouse, Susan of Raleigh, NC; and his nieces and nephews, Angela Bostrom Smith of Clearwater, FL, Eric Bostrom of Marietta, GA and Cassell Todd Hodges of Lufkin, TX.
The family wishes to express a special thanks to Otis Adams and Mary Evans for their loving care, as well as the team at Heartland Hospice. May God bless you all.
A memorial service will be held at White Plains United Methodist Church in Cary, NC at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 18, 2014. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the memorial service from 1:00-1:45pm.
A graveside service will be held at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 11, 4601 Park Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Condolences may be left on King Oscar Bostrom, Jr.'s online guest book available through brownwynnecary.com
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