David Allan King

Allan King Sr., 69, of Champaign died at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, Urbana.

Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, with funeral services at 1:30 p.m. at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana, and burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, 1803 N. Coler Ave., Urbana, with military honors accorded by St. Joseph American Legion Post 634 and the U.S. Marine Corps.

David King was born April 25, 1955, at Paxton Community Hospital in Paxton, the second-to-youngest of four children born to Thomas and Vernelle King of rural Urbana. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1973 and then immediately enlisted in the U.S. Marines.

After enlisting in the Marines in June 1973, Mr. King achieved the rank of sergeant E-5. He was stationed for four years at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., prior to his honorable discharge in June 1977.

Following his service in the military, Mr. King worked for a few years as a draftsman at Battelle in Columbus, Ohio, before embarking at age 28 on what would end up being a 27-year career as a delivery driver for the United Parcel Service (UPS), culminating with his November 2010 retirement.

While stationed in the military in Yuma, Mr. King married the former Patricia Gale on Dec. 6, 1975, at the Yuma County Courthouse. Just six months earlier, they had met at a baseball field and quickly fell in love. She survives in Champaign.

Together, they had three children, all of whom survive: Callista Marie King, 47, of Champaign; Tricia Ann King, 45, of Ohio; and David Allan King II, 42, of Champaign.

Also surviving are five grandchildren, Alex Dustin York, 26, of Seattle; Aden Jacob King, 21, of Ohio; Grant Thomas Smith, 19, of Ogden; David Allan King III, 19, of Paxton; and Ava Renee King, 18, of Paxton.

In addition, surviving are Mr. King's mother and his three siblings: his older brother, Larry King of Urbana; his older sister, Linda King of Urbana; and his younger sister, Diane Scott of St. Joseph.

Mr. King also leaves behind his beloved 8-year-old dog, Blu, a German shepherd/blue healer mix.

Mr. King enjoyed playing poker with his kids, cooking out, listening to classic rock and watching television, especially shows about crime and politics. He was a die-hard Chicago Bears and Fighting Illini fan. When younger, he enjoyed playing basketball and bowling, along with fishing and golfing with his dad and only son.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, whose mission Mr. King supported throughout his life.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/david-king-obituary?id=56078761