Harold King

OXFORD - Harold W. King, 87, died unexpectedly on Friday, October 19, 2012, at his home. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Phyllis E. (Brooks) King of Oxford; four children, Paul H. King and his wife Janice of Cary, IL, Arthur R. King and his wife Elaine of Putnam, Alan J. King and his wife Cheryl of Dudley, and Helen L. King of Oxford; a brother, Virgil G. King and his wife Marion of Millbury; a sister, Theresa Genander and her husband Paul of Beachwood, NJ; five grandchildren, Ross King of Illinois, Beth Schweibinz and her husband Adam of Illinois, Christopher King and his wife Jill of Putnam, Jennifer King of Dudley, Matthew J. King and Andrea of Marlboro, and Brianna L. King of Putnam; 6 great-grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Heather A. King in 1985; a brother, Clyde King of Charlton; and a sister, Lorraine Grout of Cherryvale, KS. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Clyde and Irene (Parent) King, and lived in Oxford since 1939. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1943, and was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II. Mr. King was an oil burner technician for many years, and retired in 1987. He attended St. Ann's Church in North Oxford and was named Citizen of the Year in Oxford in 1971. He was a member and past commander of the American Legion Post 58 in Oxford, and was a founding member of the Oxford Memorial Honor Guard. He was a Little League coach, as well as an umpire for the Little League and Lassie League. Mr. King and his wife Phyllis have been involved in scouting since 1959. He was currently a member-at-large of the Hassanamisco District Mohegan Boy Scout Council. He was a Worcester County Chairman for the Department of Massachusetts American Legion Boy Scout Committee. He formed Cub Scout Pack 254 sponsored by the American Legion to help disabled children. He was a committee member and Cubmaster for 10 years for the American Legion Cub Scout Pack 149. Mr. King was formerly the Shooting Sports instructor for Treasure Valley Scout Reservation. He received the Silver Beaver award, the highest volunteer award given in scouting. He also received the E. Whitney Young award for working with intellectually challenged children. A funeral will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2012, from Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Church, 652 Main St., North Oxford. Burial will be private at a later date. Calling hours are Wednesday, October 24, 2012, from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Oxford Memorial Honor Guard participating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Valley Scout Reservation - Mohegan Council, 19 Harvard Street, Worcester, MA 01609.