Julius "Judy" Wade King

Julius “Judy” Wade King, 93, died Tuesday, March 1, 2016 in Dallas, TX. Judy was a committed Christian, loving husband, devoted father, jovial grandfather, committed businessman, community servant, friend to everyone, and eternal optimist. Judy was born August 2, 1922 in Lockhart, Ms. to Clara (Till) and James E. King Sr. After graduation from Heidelberg High School in 1940, Judy attended Jones County Junior College (JCJC) from 1940-1941. He graduated from Ole Miss with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1943. Judy then graduated as an Ensign-U.S. Naval Midshipman’s School, Notre Dame University in 1943. Thereafter, he was on active duty in the South Pacific on the U.S.S. Pyro during WW II. Judy was a resident of Laurel from 1946 until 2009. He started his career in the automobile business, and, in 1951, he began his career in the oil industry and real estate business establishing Julius W. King Oil Properties. He remained active in the business well in to his eighties. Judy was a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association. Judy never waivered from his commitment to the community he grew up in and in which he raised his family. Judy was an active member of First Baptist Church of Laurel and served as Property Acquisition Chairman to acquire property for the growth of the church. Judy loved First Baptist Church where he was a long time member of the Senior 5 Mens Sunday School Class, and was blessed by the Pastors and staff over the 50 years that he was a member. He served as president and board member of the United Way of Pine Belt, president of the Laurel Jaycees, and two time president of the Laurel Country Club. He was a member of the Jones County Economic Development Authority. He also served on the Board of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art for 14 years. In 2004, Judy was honored to receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Jr. Auxiliary of Laurel. He was chosen as a 2006 Mississippi Blue Cross/Blue Shield Ageless hero for his community involvement. Judy firmly believed that education was the way to help make life better for everyone in the State of Mississippi. He loved and supported both Jones County Junior College, and the University of Mississippi. Judy served as chairman of the Jones County Junior College Foundation. In conjunction with his brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. James E. King Jr., he provided seed funds for the JCJC King Chemistry Center. Judy also served his alma mater, Ole Miss, as chairman of the University of Mississippi Foundation and Board member for many years. He along with his wife, Marion, endowed the King lectureship in Ethics at Ole Miss. Judy dedicated much of his time and resources to helping build the Republican Party and an effective government in Mississippi. He was recognized as a Pioneer Republican by Jones County Republican Party having run for state senator in 1963. He served as Finance Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party and traveled the state building the United Republican Fund of Mississippi. He served on the Mississippi State Republican Executive Committee and also served as State Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Finance Committee. Judy’s life was about serving others. He gave generously of his time and resources to causes and institutions about which he was passionate, and which he thought would help the people of Mississippi. Judy never met a stranger and had friends near and far. He was a devoted husband, and loving Daddy and Granddaddy - “Popboo”. Judy was often called a true southern gentleman-a title he lived up to until he took his final breath. In recent years while he suffered from dementia he never lost his joy, charm, and good sense of humor. He was kind and eternally optimistic. He always considered himself a blessed man, and the spirit of hope he carried with him came from his faith in his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Judy is survived by his daughters and their husbands: Lindy and Bill Penny of Ft. Worth, TX and Kendall and Keith Waggoner of Dallas, TX. His grandchildren: William Matthews Penny III, Oliver King Penny, James Lawson Penny, Wilson King Waggoner, and Anna Marion Waggoner. His older brother, mentor, and friend: James Ely King of Heidelberg, Mississippi. His nieces: Mary Ann Carlisle Blanchette and her husband Jon of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Jean King Haltom and her husband Dayne of Laurel, Mississippi, Kay King Hall and her husband Lewis of Sarasota, Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion King, infant son, Marion Wilson King, sister-in-law Louise Thornton King, sister Doris King Carlisle and nephews Bobby Carlisle and Jim Wade Carlisle. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Laurel, Jones County Junior College, the University of Mississippi, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be Friday, March 4th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Memory Chapel Laurel. A private graveside will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5th followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. First Baptist Church Laurel. Memory Chapel Laurel, Mississippi is in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Julius "Judy" Wade King

August 2, 1922 - March 1, 2016