Donald O. King

Donald O. King, age 88, of Fallston, MD, passed away on March 22, 2014 at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, MD. Born in Lancaster, PA, he was the son of the late Walter Oscar and Esther Rose Eshelman King. A veteran of the Merchant Marines, he earned a commission in the Maritime Service and served in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean theatres of war.

After the war, Mr. King became a construction engineer and helped supervise part of the massive restructuring at Bethlehem Steel Company, after which time he worked in residential and commercial construction. He then joined the engineering staff at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Later, taught at Baltimore City College and other schools.
He was a resident of Harford County since 1960. In 1962 he and his then wife Gloria founded the Gunpowder Club in Kingsville which is now known as the Valleybrook Country Club (www.valleybrookcc.net). He retired from his teaching positions in 1985.

During his time in Harford County, Mr. King devoted 25 years as a volunteer in the Boy Scouts, as a counselor, scoutmaster, etc. He had been active in church choirs since his teens. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where he served as the Chairman of the Board of Education, and later the president of the congregation. He was on the Board of Directors and the Legislative Committee of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Boumi Temple, Masonic Temple-Tuscan Lodge, and the National Swim and Recreational Association where he was also past president. Mr. King was a great singer, enjoyed music, and sang in the Baltimore Opera Chorus. He loved swimming, skiing, horseback riding and flying. He was a pilot in the Boumi Temple Flying Patrol. He loved to travel, especially to Europe, and enjoyed boating.

Mr. King was loving brother of Rose "Ferne" Patterson, beloved husband of Alison King for 18 years; devoted father of Robert King and wife, Lynda. He was also the devoted father of Steven King, David King and wife, Cynthia, Donna Duerling and husband, David, Thomas King and wife Cheryl and Daniel King with their mother Gloria Ruth King. Don is also survived by 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Those who desire may make a donation to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 12022 Jerusalem Road, Kingsville, MD 21087.