03/21/2025
A Celebration of Life Service for Derek King will be held this Tuesday March 25 at 1pm at St. Mark. Please plan to join us at 12:15pm for a time of refreshments and connection with family and friends.
A graveside service will be held at 3pm following the Celebration of Life. This will be a special time to honor both Joan and Derek King. Please plan to join at 3:00 p.m. at Cook Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery Field of Honor, 14501 N. Interstate Hwy 35, Pflugerville TX 78660. (The smaller area right past Howard Lane).
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Derek Thomas King, of Austin, TX, went to meet his lord on February 13, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born to George and Iris (Hayton) King in Shillelagh Ireland, on November 8, 1932. He immigrated to America in 1947 when he was 14, with his grandmother and two uncles. They lived with his great aunt on her farm in Stormville NY.
He spent his first two years of high school at Pawling High School, in Pawling NY, where he would meet his future wife, Joan Dalzell, of Pawling NY.
He spent his final two years at Wappingers Central School, in Wappingers Falls, NY, where he graduated in 1951. He immediately joined the U.S. Air Force, serving time in Okinawa and Great Falls MT.
In 1953 his parents, sister, and one brother, moved to the United States. In 1954 he became a U.S. citizen. After his four years enlistment, he was excepted at Cornell University. He decided instead to re-enlist in the Air Force, after proposing marriage to Joan, who he had met six years before. They were married on October 16, 1955 at the Methodist Church, in Pawling NY. They had four children.
He served 23 years in the United States Air Force, serving at Sampson AFB, NY; Sheppard AFB, TX; Malmstrong AFB, MT; Westover AFB, MA; Lackland AFB, TX; McClelland AFB, CA; Lowery AFB, CO; Cannon AFB, NM; McDill AFB, FL; McConnell AFB, KS; Travis AFB, CA; and 4 beautiful years at Ramstein A.B. Germany.
He also served a year in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
Retiring from the Air Force in 1974, he went to work for IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY and in 1975 transferred to IBM in Austin, TX, where he worked for 19 years.
He was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Austin TX, where he spent much of his time volunteering and collecting food at the Capitol Area Food Bank and restaurants for the church food pantry. He was also a member of the St. Mark Men's group, doing custodial duties at the church, ushering during Sunday service, as well as being a part of the Austin Walk to Emmaus Fellowship. He was a fundraiser and participated in many Austin CROP Hunger Walks in Austin.
He was a member of Harlem Valley Masonic Lodge # 827 F&AM, Pawling, NY; and a life member of Colorado Lodge #96, Webberville, TX.
In earlier years he spent much of his free time fixing and maintaining cars for others and gained the nickname "Mr. Goodwrench" as he was always willing to help others in need. He was an avid, and competitive, bowler. Bowling on many leagues throughout his life. Always an animal lover, he loved his cats and dogs, and spent many hours pet sitting and walking his grand-dogs.
Derek lived with his wife, of 68 years, Joan, at the Conservatory at North Austin for 5 years. He enjoyed participating in many of the activities and exercise classes, playing bridge, and his favorite: bean bag baseball. He made many friends during this time, and in September of 2023 participated in the Military Honor Flight to Washington DC where he was recognized for his years of military service.
After Joan's death in 2024, he went to live at the Collinfield House in Austin where he received much love and care from the wonderful staff of caregivers.
He is predeceased by his parents, and beloved wife of 68 years, Joan R. King; and their son Donald King.
He is survived by two daughters: Cynthia, (Cindi) King, and Laurie King, of Austin; and one son: Thomas King and wife Karol of Santa Barbara, CA; one sister, Mavis Dushane of NC; and two brothers: David King, of Diss England; and Allen King and wife Geanann, of Toledo, OH; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Memorial services and Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. March 25, 2025 at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 601 West Braker Lane, Austin TX, 78753.
Graveside service with Military Honors will be following at 3:00 p.m. at Cook Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery Field of Honor, 14501 N. Interstate Hwy 35, Pflugerville TX 78660.
For those desiring, memorials may be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church Food Pantry.
