James Richard King

James Richard King (Jimmy), 89, of La Grange, Kentucky passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on October 10, 2026. As only he would appreciate, the UK Wildcats went on to beat LSU in overtime.

He was born on April 30, 1937, in Henry County to the late, James O. and Birdie M. King. Jimmy graduated from Oldham County High School (1955) and Eastern Kentucky University. A tidbit he enjoyed talking about was his college friend, Lee Majors, who went on to become The Six-Million-Dollar Man, on the television show of the mid 70's.

After graduation, he was recruited to Greensboro, NC for a teaching job and returned to the Oldham County family farm with Nanette Atkinson on his arm, who became his wife on August 11, 1963. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage before Nanette passed in 2023.

Jimmy built the successful La Grange Lumber Company eventually having two locations. After retirement from the lumber business, he and partners developed Spring House Estates in La Grange.

The couple had three children -- Ellen Kay (Perkins); Richard Lee King; and Julie Dawn King. They worked hard while raising their children and enjoyed great times with close friends at the horse races; trips to Las Vegas; and other travel adventures.

Jimmy was involved in the family farming ventures with his dad, a sports buff, a very avid hunter taking trips to Alaska, Africa, and British Columbia. He was a community leader serving as an early President of the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce, a Rotarian, a veteran of the National Guard, and a former president of the Oldham County Country Club — the farm that was his childhood home.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his wife Nanette Atkinson King; his daughters, Ellen King Perkins and Julie Dawn King; and sisters, Nancy Lynn King and Hilda King Hamilton.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Richard "Lee" King; his son-in-law, Michael Perkins; his grand-daughter, Sydney Perkins; his nieces, Sandra and Laura Hamilton, and their heart-chosen daughter, Nicole Brown Barmore.

A memorial gathering for Jimmy will be held Friday, October 16, 2026 from 11am-1pm at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home, 706 West Jefferson Street, LaGrange, KY 40031. The memorial service will begin at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jimmy's name can be made to the Kentucky Humane Society.