Donald King

Donald King, 87, of Joppa, Maryland, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2024, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, Maryland.

Born in Wytheville, Virginia, Donald was the son of the late Rufus King and Ruth (Goodin) Wyrick, and the beloved husband of Bettie (Richardson) King for 70 years. He was preceded in death by sister, Judy Cox, and grandson, James Hebermehl. 

Donald was a devoted member of New Life Baptist Church and a long-time member of Maple View Baptist Church. His faith and community brought him great joy throughout his life.

Professionally, Donald was a diesel mechanic, working on Caterpillar equipment. He had a passion for fixing anything that didn’t work, and he was known for keeping his own vehicles – and those of family and friends-running smoothly. Later in life, as his health limited his ability to perform hands-on repairs, he provided advice to others on how to make the repairs themselves.

Donald enjoyed many pastimes, including woodworking, fishing, boating, and crabbing. He loved visiting his relatives in Wytheville, Virginia, and spending time with his family and friends. A fan of NASCAR, he passionately followed his favorite driver, Kyle Busch. Donald’s love of family was evident in joyful gatherings, especially the family crab feasts- sometimes replacing traditional holiday meals like Easter and Thanksgiving with his favorite steamed crabs. 

Donald will be dearly missed for his lively spirit, warm presence, and devotion he showed to his passions and loved ones. 

He is survived by his wife, Bettie; daughters, Teresa Bandy, and Carmela Hebermehl and her husband Neil; sisters, Sharon Olszewski, and her husband John and Joyce Pafford, and her husband David; brother, Dean King, and his wife Jean; grandchildren, Joshua Bandy and his wife Angela, Elizabeth Meier, and her husband Adam and six great-grandchildren: Liam, Eli, Connor, Aiden, Zaynah, and Alexis, along with many cousins and extended family members. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org or to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews at PO Box 96105, Washington, DC 20090-6105 or www.ifcj.org. 

Donald’s legacy of faith and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.