Frank C. King passed away on July 28, 2024, at his home in Thomaston surrounded by his family following health complications. He was just shy of celebrating his 82nd birthday but had spent the first half of this last year of life doing many of the activities he enjoyed in his community, church, among friends, sporting events, and of course, with his grandchildren. Although he never lived in the same towns as his 6 grandchildren, he made it a personal goal to never let a month pass without seeing them. He leaves behind a legacy of dedication and service to others through his life’s work in education and charities.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee on August 6, 1942, Frank was the son of the late Reverend Frank C. King Sr. and the late Elizabeth Goetchius King. His father proudly served with U.S. forces during WWII and was stationed in England with the Army during Frank’s early toddler years. Frank had a special and close bond with both of his parents until their deaths and considered them the epitome of grace, integrity, and Christian faith.
Frank was educated as a Wildcat from the time he was in 3rd grade until he graduated from Valdosta High School. To his children, he often reflected on the greatest memories of his life as growing up in Valdosta during the 50s and early 60s and the life-long friends he made there. He was selected as the Outstanding Senior Athlete of his alma mater Valdosta High and in 1993 was inducted into the Valdosta-Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame.
After high school, Frank received his undergraduate degree at Presbyterian College and stayed active and loyal to the College until he died. His short time attending college and playing football there, along with his involvement in the fraternity of Kappa Alpha order, again brought many cherished and lifelong friendships into Frank’s life until the very end. He was captain of the football team while at Presbyterian and dedicated much of his time in supporting athletics and scholarship opportunities there for the rest of his life. Over the years he served the college in many roles, as Alumni Board of Directors and Board of Directors and President of the Scotsman Club. He was recognized by Presbyterian College with the Thomas Stallworth Award in 2018 and the Mike Turner Award in 2020.
He also holds graduate degrees from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, the University of Georgia, and Auburn University.
Frank retired from public school life after 35 years of service as a coach, teacher, and school administrator. He served as Superintendent of Schools for 21 years between Ben Hill County, Tift County, and Upson County. Following this first retirement in 2000 he joined Morgan Keegan and Company and became first vice-president of Atlanta public finance. When Raymond James purchased Morgan Keegan in 2013, Mr. King transferred to Raymond James and became Senior Vice-President of Atlanta Public Finance. As part of his work, he helped develop and execute over 280 successful school bond referendums in order to ensure adequate school structures and buildings for many generations of school children to come. He was extremely proud of these accomplishments as a reflection of public service and retired for a second time in 2023, at the age of 81.
Professionally, Frank served on numerous state boards including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the State YMCA of Georgia. He was a Director of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, and on the Executive Committee of the Georgia High School Association. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia School Superintendents Association. In 2002, the King family was named Georgia’s Family of the Year by the State YMCA of Georgia.
Frank was also active in civic and church affairs. He was active in the Presbyterian Church USA and served as an elder for 35 years. He taught Sunday school class each week until May of 2024. In Thomaston, he was on the Board of Directors of the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, Thomaston-Upson Arts Council, the Upson County Board of Health, the Upson-Lee Boosters Club, and the Thomaston-Upson County Industrial Development Authority. He also served as President of the Thomaston-Upson Arts Council, President of the Kiwanis Club, and while in Fitzgerald, served on the Fitzgerald Rotary Club, and Chairman of the Family, Youth, and Children’s Alliance.
Mr. King was an avid sports fan through and through. He appreciated good competition and a fighting spirit. He played and coached many sports in his younger days including football and track and followed many baseball and basketball teams through the years. In his later years he was a devoted tennis player and bicycle rider, often taking rides of 100 miles or more into his late 70s.
Even as his health declined over the last two months, he excitedly watched the U.S. Olympic track and field trials with his daughters and discussed women’s basketball with his granddaughter. As much as he could, he cheered on his children and grandchildren in all their activities, whether sports, school plays, or competitive dance. He was truly a fan of life.
Frank is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law: Amy (Courtney) Howell of Tifton, GA and Beth (Tyson) Summers of Bowling Green, Kentucky; as well as his brother, Bobby King, sister-in-law, Jackie Jenkins, nephew, Daniel Gardner, and niece and her husband, Ashlee Gardner and Jim Peliksza. Frank leaves behind 6 grandchildren – 5 scrapping boys and one sweet girl: Jake, Walker, and Anderson Summers, and Jace, Gracie, and Cam Howell. Frank was married to Patti Peacock King for 42 years before she passed away in 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a devoted caregiver for her until her last breath. He leaves behind his nephews Chris (Renee) Ellis and Trey (Caitlin) Ellis, his niece Christy (Darin) Barton, and 6 great-nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Martha Adams, who was Frank’s special friend over the last few years, for her devotion to him. We would also like to thank the excellent caregivers who stayed with Frank from May to July and supported his daughters.
Funeral services for Mr. King will be held on Tuesday, July 30, at 3:00 PM, at First Presbyterian Church of Thomaston with Dr. Glenn Gilstrap and Rev. Hulet Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM on Tuesday at the church. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, July 31, at 10:00 AM, at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Cochran, Georgia with Rev. Jackie Jenkins officiating.
In lieu of flowers, Frank asked that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Thomaston.
Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.
