John Rayburn King

John Rayburn King, age 83, was born on August 15, 1938 in Osage City, Missouri. He passed away peacefully at his home on March 2, 2022 in East Stroudsburg, PA. John was married to Jan Wallace King for almost 60 years. They were college sweethearts where they met at the University of Mississippi. John was offered an athletic scholarship where he played Division I basketball. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and received his Master’s Degree in Banking and Finance in 1962. After graduation he joined the Air Force Reserves and spent a short time on active duty. He began his life long career with South Central Bell Telephone in Jackson, Mississippi and later retired from AT&T in New York City in 1990 as a financial executive. He spent the next 25 years after retirement, completing over 100 bird carvings from single blocks of wood. He won many awards and ribbons that he proudly displayed in his home office. John loved all of his dogs through the years and had many hobbies and interests included birdwatching, fishing, art, sports, history, reading books, and antiques. Many of his hobbies have carried over to his two daughters, Kimberly and Laurie. Most importantly, he was a man with tremendous integrity and family was number one. He never missed a chance to see his daughters’ or grandchildren’s basketball games, recitals, soccer games, volleyball games, school plays and more. He was always available for help with math homework, advice on careers, finances, and guidance. “We love you John R and we’ll miss you. " Cheers until we meet again.” John is survived by his wife Jan, his two daughters Kim Waeltz and Laurie Marinelli, his two sons-in-law, John and Matt, four grandchildren; Lauren, Tyler, Izzy, and Nick and his brother, Louis Everett King in Cheboygan, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John’s name be made to the Raptor Trust Bird Rehabilitation and Education Center, 1390 White Bridge Road Millington, NJ. 07946. www.theraptortrust.org.