09/24/2026
Extending prayers for the family of former pastor, John King.
The Rev. John Weldon King of Blountstown, FL passed away after a short illness on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the age of 77. He was born in Minot, North Dakota in 1949 to Lawrence and Sadie Yoder King and moved to Florida as a child due to his siblings’ illness requiring a warmer climate. John grew up working at his father’s construction business and was renown for his impressive painting skills. He met the love of his life and future wife, Brenda Capps King, in elementary school and they later married on August 19, 1971. A son followed two years later, who made it all the way to professional baseball and also served 17 years in the United States Army, and of whom John was very proud as he could tell countless stories about him as the day is long.
John devoted his life to the Lord at 16, while attending Williams Memorial in Blountstown, Fl. After graduating from Blountstown High, he attended Chipola College and further devoted himself by pursuing a career in the Methodist ministry. His first appointment was at Altha United Methodist in 1972, followed by Bethel United Methodist in Murphreesboro, TN in 1975. It was during this time he received his Masters of Christian Education from Scarritt College in Nashville. In 1977 he became the associate pastor at Shalimar UMC in Shalimar, FL but transferred his educational expertise to Louisville, KY, where he took a staff position as a Director of Christian Education. It was in 1980 he decided he wanted to serve in a more central role than he had previously held so he attained his Master’s in Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Soon after, he was ordained and admitted to the Louisville Conference, he then transferred to Cedar Grove UMC in Sheperdsville, KY in 1980. In 1983, he was admitted as an ordained elder to the Alabama-West Florida Conference and served at multiple locations across Alabama and Florida until his retirement in 2011, after 37 devoted years. In 2023 he was called back to service at Blountstown United Methodist Church and remained there all the way up until the end. He was known for answering any call, no matter how late. Midnight trips to the ER, long distance drives to the home of an ailing congregation member, anyone in need. It was all the same to John and he will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his cherished son, Bill (Lynda); his five beloved grandchildren: Lexie (James), Torie, JD, Cody, and Sahra; one adorable great granddaughter, Mille Mae. He is also survived by a brother, Roger (Alice), who traveled many hours to sit by his hospital bedside. He is preceded in death by his wife, Brenda, whom he remained devoted to throughout her battle with Lewy Body Demetia. She succumbed to her illness in 2021. His parents, Lawrence and Sadie. Two brothers, LaVern and Verle, and two sisters, Vivian and Rebecca. He leaves behind a legacy of love and faith that will forever resonate in the hearts of all he touched throughout his ministry.
In lieu of flowers, the family has established a scholarship endowment at Chipola College for students choosing to pursue a career in Christian ministry. Donations for the Reverend John and Brenda King Christian Ministry Scholarship can be made via https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-john-and-brenda-king-with-a-ministry-scholarship-fund, mailed to the Chipola College Foundation, 3094 Indian Circle, Marianna, FL, or through the Chipola College Foundation website, https://www.chipola.edu/foundation/donation-information/ .
Funeral services for John will begin with the visitation on Friday September 25, 2026, at the Peavy Funeral Home Chapel from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held on Saturday September 26, 2026, at Williams Memorial Methodist Church beginning at 11:00 AM CT. Interment will be at the Williams Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Peavy Funeral Home.
