Claude E. King

Claude Everett King, age 78, of Aquilla, passed away late Thursday night, February 17, 2011, at his residence. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Don Elrod and Dr. Craig Klempnauer officiating. Military graveside services will follow at Prairie Grove Cemetery near Aquilla, conducted by West V.F.W. Post #4819. The family will receive visitors from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Mr. King was born on March 19, 1932 in Talpa, the son of James Wesley and Hattie Thomas (Williams) King. He graduated from Aquilla High School before continuing to work on his associate's degree in California. On March 7, 1953 he was united in marriage to Nadine Elizabeth Sober at Camp Pendleton, CA. She preceded him in death on June 21, 1991. On November 26, 1993 he was then united in marriage to Frances Marie Perkins in Aquilla. Claude served in the United States Marine Corps with the 1st Marine Division for over 26 years before retiring in 1976. He was a survivor of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign during the Korean conflict and served two tours in Vietnam. He also was head of Embassy Security in the Philippines. Following military retirement he operated the Century 21 and Semper Fidelis Reality in California as a broker prior to returning to Texas. Claude was a member of the West Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4819, National Sojourners at Camp Pendleton Chapter No. 243, the West American Legion Post No. 478, the Oceanside Shiner's in California, and a 32nd degree Mason with the Austin Masonic Lodge. Claude is also preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, J. T. King, Garland King and Timothy King; and a sister, Willie Mae King. Survivors include his beloved wife of 17 years, Frances King of Aquilla; a daughter, Claudine Brooks and husband James of Raleigh, NC; two sons, Aaron King and wife Lynn of Oakland, CA and Philip King and wife Amber of Waco; two stepsons, Robby Spicer and wife Jessica of Bushland and James Spicer and wife Alysia of Canyon; two brothers, Hubert Murphy Jr. and wife Glenda of West and Thomas King of Lampasas; two sisters, Barbara Williams of Aquilla and Mildred Adams and husband Ed of Chilacatha, OH; 13 grandchildren; 1 great grandson; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are members of the West Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4819 Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aquilla Scholarship Foundation, %P. O. Box 98, West, TX 76691.