Thomas (Tom) Eugene King

Thomas (Tom) Eugene King

Aledo -

Thomas (Tom) Eugene King, age 75, of Aledo, passed away on Friday, April 23, 2021 at UnityPoint Health-Trinity Moline/Rock Island. He was born on March 7, 1946 in LaHarpe, Illiniois to Claude Hill and Thula Willavine (Henson) King. He married Barbara May (Bonney) King in Peoria, Illinois on June 8, 1974.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Claude King of Indianaola, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; three brothers, James Douglas King of LaHarpe, Illinois, Timothy Bruce (Tammy) King of Burlington, Iowa, and Lindsey Lloyd King of Burlington, Iowa; three daughters, Kendra Alyssa (Paul) Crede of Monmouth, Illinois, Tamia Alisha King of Monmouth, Illinois, and Janelle Andrea King of Davenport, Iowa; three sons, Damon Emanuel (Jessica) King of Jay, Maine, Preston Michael (Cassidy) King of Madrid, Iowa, and Elgin Nathaniel King of Davenport, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Quinton P. King, Rashaun J. King, Keamiah L. King, Jayden M. King, Thomas E. King II, Bryanna M. King, Brady L. Brown, Codie L. Brown, Natalia M. King, and one lovingly expected.

As a volunteer chaperone, Tom attended a United Methodist Church reading camp for youth on John's Island, South Carolina, where he met Barbara teaching there in 1972. Together they devoted their lives to children as foster parents and eventually adopted six children. They continued raising three grandchildren and other special people, who have spent time in their home over the years. Tom considered the Aledo United Methodist Church to be family, and he participated in numerous United Methodist Men's ministries. He liked to tease people and tell stories. Any excuse to laugh was good enough for him. Tom loved holding new babies, displaying the American flag for important occasions, watching bald eagles, and cheering loudly during athletic events while ringing his cow bell. Entering life during one of the largest polio epidemics in United States history and before an available vaccine, he survived polio at the age of four. Tom overcame a full body cast treatment for childhood paralysis, got up from too many falls to count over his lifetime, and adapted to post-polio syndrome with dignity and grace. He was determined to be as independent as possible and created a legacy of family, service, and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aledo United Methodist Church. A celebration of life service will be held at the Aledo United Methodist Church on Monday, May 10 at 1:00 P.M. Speer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.