Alfred Reese King Jr.

Alfred Reese King, Jr., 79, of Goose Creek, SC and United States Air Force, retired, passed away on 12 November 2022, surrounded by family: sister Kathy Sexton; brother in law, Lanny Sexton and nephew, Alex Sexton.

Born 22 March 1943 in Augusta, GA, Al was the son of the late Alfred Reese King, Sr. and Julia Katherine King.

Al King enlisted in the US Air Force on 22th of January 1962 in Columbia, SC. His basic training was completed at Lackland AFB, Texas. Further training as an aircraft Electrical Repair Man and AC Electrical Environmental Systems Specialist was received at Chanute AFB, IL and Biggs AFB, TX. He was assigned to Biggs AFB in El Paso,Texas for his first enlistment.

On 22 of January 1966 Al re-enlisted at Biggs AFB, TX for an additional four year tour. Al successfully completed additional training on the F-105 aircraft. During this tour Al served overseas in Thailand (1966-1967) during the Vietnam War. In 1970 and 1971 he took a break in service.

Al enlisted on 24 May 1971 in Kansas City, Mo. And was assigned to Nellis AFB in North Las Vegas, Nevada. His service there led him to apply to the USAF Flight Demonstration Team (Thunderbirds) in the fall of 1974. Al was accepted to try out with the team. At this time the team was flying the F-4 Phantom but transitioned to the T-38 trainer due to the fuel shortage at that time.

Al successfully completed his tryout with the team and his journey began with the Thunderbirds.

Al spent fourteen years at Nellis AFB of which he spent three tours with the Thunderbirds.

Two of those tours he spent supporting the F-4 Phantom and T-38 Talon in the aircraft electrical field. Al changed his career field to Television Equipment Technician in 1979. This suited Al well as he was an avid photographer. Al returned to the Thunderbirds working in television for the team.

On 18 January 1982 Al was tasked to record a training flight at Indian Springs AF Auxiliary Field. The team was performing a four plane line abreast loop. The maneuver was not successfully completed and the Thunderbirds experienced one of the worst tragedies in their history. Thunderbird planes one through four crashed into the desert floor losing four pilots. Al's video was used in the Air Force investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

Al spent his last tour in South Korea at the Pacific AF Broadcast Squadron. Upon completion of this tour he retired honorably with twenty-one years and five months of service.

Al is survived by his daughter, Laura Barnes and husband Mark of Wichita, KS; sister, Kathy Sexton and husband OK of Goose Creek, SC; brother, Harry A. King, Sr. and wife LuAnn King of Slidell, LA; grandsons Kalen and Kyle White; 5 great grandchildren; 2 nieces; 2 nephews, 4 grandnieces; 4 grandnephews and extended family in Augusta, GA.

In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by his son, Robert Allen King.

A visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Thursday, 17 November 2022 at Carolina Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremation located at 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406. 843-797-2222. Al’s funeral service will follow immediately in the chapel at 12:00 PM. Interment will be at Carolina Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution in Al's memory to Disabled Veterans of America

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared and viewed at www.CarolinaMemorial.com