Deacon King Jr
Age - 80
November 28, 2023
Samuel Thomas King, Jr. was born on September 27, 1943, to Samuel T. King, Sr. and Ollie Whitehead King in Americus, Georgia. He was the fifth of six children, four girls and two boys. Before the age of two, the family moved to Orlando, Florida in the spring of 1945. Here, he went to Holden Street Elementary School and graduated from Jones High School in the Class of 1961. Growing up and attending school during segregation was always a topic of lively conversation. Samuel vibrantly spoke of the amazing teachers that he learned from and classmates that would be lifelong friends. After high school, he went to Albany State College and studied Sociology with a minor in Psychology and History, graduating in 1966. His time at Albany State allowed him to spend his holidays with his family in Americus, Georgia and create more long-lasting bonds. He moved to Hartford, Connecticut in 1967 near his older sisters. Samuel went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 1976. Samuel spent more than 55 years in social work and mental health, crossing multiple disciplines, and serving as a member of the National Association of Social Workers and National Association of Black Social Workers. He began his career with Hartford Neighborhood Centers, a community-based agency serving children and their families, in September of 1967 as a social group worker with adolescent and pre-adolescent boys on social development. He went on to become supervisor of youth services and community organization programs and then director of camp programs. His daughter and many of his nieces and nephews went to Camp Hi-Hoti as campers and camp counselors. He was revered as an awesome role model by many of the children that benefited from grants he wrote, services he created, and programs that he led. After 32 years, Samuel retired from Hartford Neighborhood Centers in 2000 as the Deputy Director. His dedication as a mental health professional continued after retirement, as a psychotherapist with the Behavioral Health Network. He was passionate about his career, receiving many honors, and enjoyed guiding young adults through their social and mental health journeys. He worked up until the day he transitioned. A charming smile and kind heart were key attributes of this amazing man. He met Patsy Patricia Williams in 1972 on a greyhound bus from Hartford, Connecticut enroute to Orlando, Florida. They married in 1973. From that union came his only child, Felicia Lynette King on November 16, 1974. He lovingly referred to his daughter as his Princess. His marriage to Patsy ended a few years later, but he remained a steadfast, loving, and present father in all aspects of his daughter's life. He spoke with his daughter often and ended calls and annual visits with "See you later. Love you much". Those were his last words to her the day before he passed. In 1979, Marion Gandy walked into the Hartford Neighborhood Centers as a graduate student working on her master's in social work from UCONN. They married in July of 1981 and lived in Springfield, Massachusetts. Here they created a loving marriage, built a great life, were active in state politics and held notable roles in their church community. They were married for 41 years, and Marion preceded him when she passed away in 2022. He cherished his relationship with their granddaughter, Sydney, who was instrumental in caring for him this past year. Deacon King was a long-time member of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ in Springfield, Massachusetts. He joined in 1996 after the passing of his beloved mother, Ollie, because a piece of him was missing. He followed in his father's footsteps and became an usher, then joined the Men of Promise Choir and Men's Ministry. Churchgoers loved hearing Deacon King sing his favorite song, Jesus is Love. He served many roles, like Trustee, within the church during his tenure and was ordained as a Deacon in 2000, ultimately serving as a Chairman of the Board of Deacons for over 10 years. Sonny, as he was fondly called by family, loved all things basketball and watching sports, like football, baseball, and his favorite WWE wrestling. He coached basketball at a youth church league in his younger days and told stories of the future NBA players that crossed his path. If you started a sports related conversation with him, you soon realized you were talking to a sport almanac. He could quote statistics from any year and any sport on well-known athletes and those much lesser known. These sporting facts covered athletes spanning their professional, college and high school periods. Samuel looked forward to his annual trip to California to visit his daughter's family. He was so proud of his grandsons' academic and athletic achievements and would be seen standing tall and beaming with pride while rooting for Jalen, Justin, and Jamison on the field, court, or across the stage. Samuel Thomas King, Jr. departed this life on Friday, November 17, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion King; his parents, Samuel Sr. and Ollie King; and sister Clara Monts. He is survived by his daughter Felicia Lynette King Smith (Steffen) and her three sons/his beloved grandsons Jalen Steffen Smith, Justin Patrick Smith, and Jamison Thomas Smith; his siblings, Allen James (Dora), Mary Ann Wilson, Geneva Abdullah (John), and Belgret King; his loving nieces and nephews; his stepchildren: Abraham Gandy, Jr. , Sherry Gandy-Watt, Terry Gandy-Hall (Emory), Darrin Gandy, Betty Gandy-Tobin, and their children/his grandchildren, that he cared for dearly; and countless family and dear friends. God blessed us with Samuel Thomas King, Jr. for 80 wonderful years, and he will live on in our hearts and minds forever. Photo Album $(function () {$('#ugallery'). unitegallery();});Show more
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