Retired SSG. Ira J. King

Mr. Ira King was born one February 3, 1947, the son of Margo King and the Late John C. King. He was the oldest son of three children. Ira was educated in the public school school system in New York. He was a graduate of the class of 1967 from Franklin High School in Harlem, NY. I was very athletic and received numerous awards for excellence in track and field. From an early age, he was active in the family church, All Saints, Romas Catholic Church in Harlem, NY, where he served as an alter boy. At All Saints, Ira would learn the power and meaning of God under the direction of Fr. Neil J. O'Connell. After graduating high school, he attended Fayetteville State College in North Carolina and returned to Ney York to further his tudies at the University of New York before joining the United States Army.

On October 27, 1973, he married Cheryal Williams, who preceded him in death, and in this fourteen year union, Ira gained a son Del and three children were born: Lester, Teneka and Makeda. During Ira's military career, he was stationed at numerous duty sites, such as: New York, Germany, California, Korea and received specialized training in Texas. He has the distinguish honor, while staioned in Bremerhaven, Germany, to be the first African-American Solider to be placed in charge of the Food Inspection Unit. While in the military, he received the Army Service Ribbon, Oversees Seervice Ribbon, Driver Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Metal and Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Component Bar, and the Army Achievement Medal. Due to Ira's failing health, he was force to retire. His last duty station was in Savannah, Georgia after serving his Country.

On Thursday, August 14, 2008, Ira had end stage renal failure and was on dialysis for the last eighteen years. If you were one of the fortunate people to encounter Ira, you knew he was one of a kind. He left a life long impression on all that he met. He will truly be missed.

He was preceded in death by his loving father, John C. King.

He is survived by his mother, Margo King of New York, NY; his three children: Del Pittman, Lester King, both of Mount Vernon, New York, Teneka Gerido and son-in-law, Troy Gerido of Rincon, GA and Makeda King of Richmond, VA.; sisters, Mable Futches and brother-in-law, James Futches of Deport, New Jersey, Debbie King of New York, NY; brother, Kenneth King of Charlotte, NC; aunt, Mamie Singleton of Chevy Chase, Maryland; uncle, Isaac King of Savannah, GA; five grands: mala, Quincyuna, Jabriel, Aminah, Nasheem; a host of nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and friends.

Memorial service: 11:00am Friday, August 22, 2008 at Adams Funeral Services, Inc, 510 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah, GA 31405. Interment: Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC 29902.

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