Joe was born in Jacksonville, Fl on August 26, 1948, to Chief S.J. “Buddy” King Jr and De’Ada R King. Joe had two older siblings, and he was especially close to his younger sister, Janie. They grew up in Jacksonville, part of a large extended family that included treasured aunts, uncles, and cousins, many of whom were also lifelong best friends. Joe was also blessed with many childhood friends who became like family, spending summers at the family lake house in Keystone Heights, skiing, and swimming in White Sands Lake.
Joe graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1966, where he was a three-year letterman in football, student council president and was voted “Most likely to Succeed”. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1970 with a degree in Building Construction. This launched a decades-long career in residential and commercial construction, engineering, and project management. Joe followed in his father’s footsteps and started his own business, King Lumber Company, but was happiest when he was building homes for family and friends.
Joe was an avid deer hunter and outdoorsman, a passionate Florida Gators fan, a proud patriotic American and a true southern gentleman.
But more than anything, Joe was the most incredible daddy, husband, uncle, Papa, and friend. He was a man who poured his unconditional love and wisdom into his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many others he adopted along the way. A father figure to many, he was a natural teacher and mentor to all. Known to friends and family as the man who could fix anything, the phrase “What would Joe do?” was a constant query among those blessed to know him.
He loved spending time with his sweetheart, Sherry, his girls, his friends, and his grandkids, while enjoying all the small simple pleasures of retirement. He valued the beauty in everyday things, always appreciating a beautiful sunrise or sunset on his beloved lake, while enjoying coffee (or a cocktail) on his porch with his bride and his puppies. He loved a Florida Gators win, fishing with his grandkids and looking over a quiet field from a deer stand at dusk.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Buddy and De’Ada, older sister Linda Jane King and many special friends and family members.
Joe leaves behind a devastated family and circle of friends who will be lost without him, including his loving wife of 32 years, Cheryl “Sherry” King of Keystone Heights, Fl, sister Janie King Philips (Peyton) of Palm Coast, Fl, older brother Robert F. King of Grant, Al, daughters Stephanie Moore (Kevin) of Gainesville, Fl, Leslie Ates (Justin) of Richmond Hill, Ga, and Maria Strickland (Jim) of Keystone Heights, Fl, and his grandchildren, Sophie and Colin Moore; JW, Joey, Ellie and Jack Ates.
Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Rivermead Funeral Home, 127 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, Fl 32073. Services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, with a visitation at 10:00 am, followed by funeral services at 11:00 am, and a celebration of life reception to follow.
Pallbearers will be Joe’s nephews Brent Page, Brian Page, Brad Page, and Howard Tucker (Brooke), along with his sons-in-law Kevin Moore and Justin Ates.
Final internment will be on Monday January 20, 2025, at Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville Fl.
Donations can be made in Joe’s honor to the Puppy Hill Farms Animal Shelter, https://www.puppyhillfarm.com, or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Donate to Tunnel to Towers Foundation
