John W. King

John William King, age 77, passed on to life everlasting at the Edward M. Poe Hospice Care Center in Titusville, FL with his loving wife and daughter at his side on Thursday, August 11, 2016. He was born on April 2, 1939 in Indianapolis, IN. During his school years, the family moved to Miami, FL and John subsequently attended and proudly graduated from the University of Florida - GO GATORS! He started his electrical engineering career with IBM which led him to move several times, including a temporary assignment to Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. It was there he met the love of his life, Sheila, on a blind date and they were married on June 12, 1976. Moving again several times, John's position with IBM Federal Systems Division brought them to Titusville, FL in 1981. He enjoyed a challenging and rewarding career with the GPS program, and after working as an engineer for 48 years, he finally retired from Lockheed Martin in 2009. John's focus and joy in life was on his family. He was a devoted husband to Sheila, dad to Sarah, father-in-law to Lucas, and grandpa to Lily, always passionate, loving, and kind. Throughout his life, John enjoyed many hobbies including square dancing, hunting, fishing, and bowling, but his true love was for the game of golf. He was a member of La Cita Country Club, served on the boards for the Homeowner's Association and the Men's Golf Association, was an officer in the Sunrise Rotary Club of Titusville, and attended St. Luke's Presbyterian Church. Known for his dry sense of humor and quick wit, John was loved and respected by all who knew him. Left to honor John and remember his love are his wife of 40 years, Sheila S. King; daughter Sarah (Lucas) Guarrine; and granddaughter Lily Guarrine. John was the favorite uncle to Aaron (Sherri) Kroemer and blessed to be surrounded by a close circle of friends. He is also survived by 2 sons from a previous marriage, Mike and Mark King, and several other cousins, nieces and nephews. After receiving wonderful care at Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville and Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center in Titusville, Sheila and Sarah are forever grateful to the 4th floor nurses, staff, and physicians at Parrish Medical Center and Hospice of St. Francis for their compassionate care, concern, and thoughtfulness. No calling hours are scheduled. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Titusville. A celebration of his life will follow with a service at 2:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 1255 Knox McRae Drive, Titusville, concluding with a joyful gathering at La Cita Country Club, 777 Country Club Drive, Titusville. Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach is in charge of arrangements. Please share a memory under John's name at www.beckmanwilliamson.com In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Luke's Presbyterian Church Music Ministry Fund. Graveside Service AUG 20. 01:00 PM Oaklawn Memorial Gardens 2116 Garden Street Titusville, FL, US, 32796 Celebration of Life AUG 20. 02:30 PM St. Luke's Presbyterian Church 1255 Knox McRae Drive Titusville, FL, US, 32780