E.Y. King was born on July 19, 1929 in Drumright, Oklahoma. He attended Drumright High School and was an accomplished French horn player, serving as the Captain of the Band in his senior year. When he was 19 years old, he followed his oldest brother, Elliott, to Texas.
Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life, Betty Joyce Hogan. They are married on January 20, 1950 and were together virtually every day thereafter for the next 72 years.
E.Y. is survived by sister-in-law, Pat Malone, his two children, Bill King and Karen King Rivas, and six grandchildren, Emily, Jonathan, Rebecca, Andrea, Theo and Faith. He has five great grandchildren - Ben, Jack, Evie, Elle and Opal. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ellis Young King and Maude King and seven brothers and sisters, Velma, Audrey, Elliott, Anglus, Mary, Orpha and Paul and his parents-in-law, Joe and Pearl Hogan.
E.Y. became a journeyman pipefitter shortly after moving to Texas and traveled much of the country working on pipelines before settling in Kemah in 1962. With the help of his father-in-law, Joe Hogan, he built a home in Kemah where he and his wife spent most of the rest of their lives.
In the 1980s, he along with his brothers Elliott and Paul started a successful pipe fabrication business. He mastered many crafts in his spare time. In the 1950s he built his own outboard boat from mail order plans. He enjoyed using it to go fishing and water skiing. He also dabbled in painting, writing and making jewelry. He loved to garden and for many years, fresh tomatoes were a staple at the King table. He also he pitched in a church fast-pitch softball league.
He became a deacon in his church and in the 1960s, together with his wife, started a couples’ Sunday school class that grew to over 100 families. The members of that class became their extended family, and many remained for the rest of their lives.
E.Y. and Betty Joyce enjoyed traveling and camping. Over the years they crisscrossed most of the country on their summer trips. Many of their camping trips were with the Couples Class and were among their fondest memories.
E.Y. died quietly at home on September 12, 2021, barely two weeks after his soulmate had passed. After 72 years together, not even death could keep them apart for long. He was surrounded by his family and caregivers and held up by the prayers of many other family members and friends. Those who he left behind will sorely miss him but are comforted by the faith he is reunited with the love of his life and all those family members who have gone on before him.
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