David Ernest King

David Ernest King was born August 1, 1941, in Evansville, Indiana. He attended F.J. Reitz High School and graduated from the University of Evansville. As a high school senior, Dave was a paperboy when he was approached by then Proprietor Russ Neathery to come to work at Franklin Lanes. After graduating from UE Dave left Franklin Lanes to become the Water Executive at Evansville Waterworks. Two months later he was pulled back to Franklin by Neathery and promoted to Manager.

In 1985 Dave and partner Walt Hatcher purchased the Lanes and remained partners until Hatcher passed away in 2006. Dave had a passion for many sports including Kentucky basketball. He attended games, tournaments and national titles all over the country with his wife Loretta until she could no longer travel comfortably. Then he attended with other family members and friends. He regularly attended his Alma Mater UE games and USI games before taking a seat at the scorer’s table at USI for nearly 35 years.

Dave became good friends with many at USI particularly Coach Rodney Watson and radio broadcaster Dan Egierski. Dave also spent many evenings in gyms and fields watching children and grandchildren participate in basketball, football, t-ball, baseball, softball, volleyball, wrestling and bowling, Dave not only bowled two perfect games, but he also had a hole in one in golf (although we are unsure who may have witnessed this feat). However, there were plenty who remembered the day he torched Jeff Crowley on a fly pattern in touch football. He is a member of the Evansville Bowling Hall of Fame and Indiana Bowling Hall of Fame. He is a member of the University of Southern Indiana Sports Hall of Fame. He was also distinguished as a Kentucky Colonel, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. Legacies forever.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents Earnest and Lucille King. Ernie was a welder in the Evansville shipyards building LSTs. Lucille’s family played a large role in starting the Salvation Army in Evansville. His wife of 52 years at the time of her passing was Loretta King. He honorably cared for in her final years and never really recovered from her loss.

Dave is survived by his three sons: Tony and his wife Julie of Evansville, Darrell of Evansville and Darren of Louisville. His grandchildren, Daniel of Chicago, Amanda of Austin, Aaron of Evansville, Dalton of Evansville, Deyton of Evansville, Austin of Lexington and Connor of Louisville. His great grandchildren Carson, William and Divinity with another on the way. Thank you to all at West River for the tremendous care his last few years. Dave viewed them as friends, not caretakers. Also, the family would like to offer tremendous thanks to LeAnn Bixby, who served as a personal caregiver. He referred to them all as his friends. Thank you to all his employees, past and present. You were also friends. Thank you to all the many bowlers at Franklin Lanes as well. You were the friends that made him passionate about being at Franklin Lanes.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Alexander West Chapel, 2100 W Illinois St, Evansville, IN. Friends and family may visit Friday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Alexander Memorial Park Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.