John Allen King

Passed away peacefully at the Maples Home for Seniors on Monday, August 28, 2023 in his 96th year. Beloved husband for nearly 69 years of Agnes (nee Turnbull) King. Loving father of Ruth (David) Duncan,  Dave (Gwen) King, Donna (Rob) Berg, Nancy (Gord) McNeice, and Rob (Erika) King. Missed by grandchildren Sarah (Nathan) Brenneman, Kevin King (Candice Brooks), Dan (Ashlee) Wettlaufer, Lyndsay (Michael) Woodward, Ian McNeice, Chris McNeice, Graeme McNeice, Devon King, Greydon King and Ashlee King, and 8 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by brother Malcolm King in 2021 and sister-in-law Lorraine King in 2009.  Also predeceased by his parents, A. Gordon King and Hazel Jane (Jean) (nee Turnbull).  Dear brother-in-law to Leone and Douglas Sutor of Guelph, and uncle to nieces Carolyn (Dave) Rumble and Margaret (Ken) Van Dyk and their families.

John was a graduate of the Woodstock Collegiate Institute, and earned his degree in Agriculture at OAC at the University of Guelph in 1950.  In his youth, John was active in local sports and Junior Farmers. He farmed at his beloved Kinghurst dairy farm for 30 years, until retiring and passing the torch to son Dave.  After retiring from farming, he took the position of Rural Resource Specialist with the United Church of Canada London Conference.

John was a lifelong member of the United Church. He was active locally at his beloved Hebron Church; he considered the Hebron community as his extended family. He held many roles over the years, including choir member, Sunday school teacher, Treasurer, Elder, and Trustee. Also, John held various leadership roles in Oxford Presbytery: Lay Preacher, Camp Committee Chairman, Rural and Small Church Representative, and was President of London Conference in 1985.  John was honoured to be a nominee for Moderator of the United Church of Canada in 1988.

Throughout his farming career he sat on various agricultural boards such as Oxford and Ontario Boards of the OFA and the Fruit Co-operative. His contributions to community was also recognized in 2014, when John received the Hickson Lions Club "Citizen of The Year" Award.

A true farmer, John loved the outdoors, spending time in the field and garden, watching crops and plants grow. He also loved watching his family grow and was proud of their accomplishments. He enjoyed the many get-togethers, holiday dinners and celebrations with his family, and cherished the visits from his great-grandchildren in his later years.

Special thanks to the staff at the Maples (Tavistock), Oxford Gardens (Woodstock), Care Partners (Woodstock) and M300 Wing (Woodstock Hospital) for the wonderful care provided to John in his last years.

Visitation will be on Thursday August 31, 2023, 7:00-9:00pm at Brock & Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Avenue, Woodstock, ON.

Funeral will be held at 11:00am on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Hebron United Church, 676241 16th Line, Bright, ON, with a one-hour visitation preceding the service.  Interment will take place at Woodstock Presbyterian.

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