Cover photo for Calvin J. King's Obituary
Calvin J. King Profile Photo

Calvin J. King

June 9, 1926 — December 31, 2018

Calvin J. King

Calvin J. King, age 92, of Beatrice, Nebraska, passed away on December 31, 2018, at the Good Samaritan Home in Beatrice, Nebraska.

Calvin was born June 9, 1926, on a farm three and a half miles southwest of Waterville, Kansas, in Marshall County to Grace L. (Roepke) and John T. King. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1944. Soon after he was inducted in the US Army, receiving basic training at Fort Hood, Texas and jungle warfare training in Hawaii and Saipan. He then was assigned to the 77th Infantry Division. He participated in the invasion and securing of Okinawa. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge.

After serving in Okinawa he was reassigned to Cebu Island in the Philippines and from September 1945, he served with the first occupational forces at Hokkaido, Japan. He was reassigned to the US Air Force serving as a supply sergeant. Calvin was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Staff Sergeant. During the Korean Conflict in 1950, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in standby reserve, but was not called back to active duty.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Kanas State University in 1950, and entered graduate school in 1951. He taught veterans agriculture at Belleville, Kansas from 1951 to 1955. He was supervisor for the USDA Farmers Home Administration for thirty years. He worked part time for FmHA for an additional seven years.

After retirement, Calvin and Camille enjoyed traveling, especially a trip they were able to take to Czechoslovakia. The last few years of his life, he continued to participate in farming the land where he grew up, which was an important part of his life. Another activity that gave him great joy was working with wood.

He was a member of the Lions Club, the VFW, Springer Post 332 of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge in Waterville, and the Kansas Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He was President of the Kansas County Farmers Home Administration County Supervisors Association. He was also President of the Local Chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Survivors include his longtime friend and companion Camille Olivia of Beatrice, Nebraska, his daughter Ann E. (Phil) Wassenberg of Wetmore, Kansas, two brothers; Dennis (Marlene) King of Beaverton, Oregon and Kenneth King of Wamego, Kansas, a granddaughter and three great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister, Phyllis Peterson and a great grandchild. Viewing will begin at 11:00 am, Saturday, and continue until service time. Funeral services are planned for 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 5, 2019, at Terry-Christie Funeral Home in Waterville, with Mr. Rod Christie officiating. Prerecorded music will include selections of classical music and Stephen Foster. Casket Bearers are; Phil Wassenberg, Gary Thompson, Ed Tucker, Mark Jensen, Clifton Barth and Todd Parker.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Calvin J. King, please visit our flower store.

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