Eddie John King

Growing up near Fort Lauderdale, Florida he was an active member of the Oakland Park Methodist Church and the local Boy Scout troop. Eddie received his Eagle Award as a Scout and worked summers at the scout camp.

Upon graduation from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1956, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and began his career here in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating basic training, Eddie reported to jet engine mechanic training in Amarillo, Texas. He serviced jet aircraft for the Strategic Air Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, near Shreveport, Louisiana. In 1960, Eddie leaped into the future by retraining into computer systems operations. This move led to his long future with the Aerospace Defense Command at Ent Air Force in Colorado, Springs, Colorado. He retired from the Air Force in September as 1976 with the rank of Master Sergeant. Eddie’s military awards and decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Retiring from the Air Force, Eddie was hired by USAA as a computer operations specialist and programmer here in San Antonio. He retired from USAA in 1992.

Retirement was not a period of inactivity for Eddie. He served as Vice President of the Volunteer Auxiliary at Wilford Hall Medical Center on Lackland Air Force Base. Eddie volunteered nearly fourteen years until his health forced him to step aside. Steps were important to Eddie as his favorite volunteer assignment was saving them for patients by driving a “step saver” shuttle cart picking up folks from the far afield parking lots. His more than 3,300 volunteer hours also included service in the hospital pharmacy.

A favorite pastime for Eddie and his wife Lois was square dancing as members of the Grand Squares Square Dance Club. They danced with the club for many, many years. In fact, they were such avid dancers that they are still only one of two known couples to have visited more than one thousand five hundred different dance clubs. They traveled around the country participating in dance conventions, performed locally during San Antonio Rodeos, and even made a grand tour of Bavarian Germany during the 1992 Octoberfest sharing this sample of iconic American culture.

Eddie was an active member of the San Antonio First Church of the Nazarene. Game days were always a favorite activity for Eddie and Lois where he especially enjoyed playing dominoes.

Eddie was the father of three children. Don Michael preceded him in death in a traffic accident. His second son, Brian Mitchell, also preceded him in death following an illness. His daughter Karen Anita Quillian lives here in San Antonio with her husband Eric and their son Drury and they are caring for Lois.

Also preceding him in death was his sister Carolyn (King) Upp, niece Diane (Upp) Simini, and niece Yvonne (Williams) Chase.

He is survived by his loving wife Lois, his beloved daughter Karen, her husband Eric and grandson Drury. Also remembering Eddie are his sister Barbara (King) Williams, nephews Art Williams, Bill Williams, Bob Williams, Dr. James (Bobby) Upp, and nieces Cindy (Williams) Wisniewski and Terri (Upp) Manning.

Visitation will be held at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home from 6-7 PM for family and 7-8 PM for friends on Thursday June 17th. San Antonio First Church of the Nazarene will hold a memorial service for Eddie on Friday, June 18th at 10:30 AM with a meal to follow for friends and family. Burial services at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery are scheduled for Friday, June 25th, at 10:15 AM at shelter two.