James Ray King

James “Jim” Ray King, age 83, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025 in Boaz, AL. He was born in Camden, Alabama, to Robert and Annie Mae (Ray) King and spent 20+ years in Boaz, AL after spending a significant part of his life in Texas.

Jim was a proud veteran of both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. He joined the Marine Corps in 1959 as a heavy equipment operator and construction supervisor. After his honorable discharge in 1964, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as part of the Core of Engineers building airport runways and docks in Viet Nam. Jim was honorably discharged in 1967.

Jim had over 25 years of experience working in the construction industry as a dragline operator, heavy equipment operator, foreman, and superintendent in underground infrastructure installation and land development in Texas and Florida. After a shoulder injury, Jim began a 10-year career as a life insurance salesmen/manager for both Royal Neighbors, Lincoln Heritage and various other insurance companies before retiring and working sporadically doing home repairs and renovations. He loved being busy and was hired as bulldozer/backhoe operator at the ripe ole age of 80.

Born with the “gift of gab”, Jim never saw a stranger and was well known for sharing laughter and his faith with others. He moved to Boaz, Alabama in 2004 and attended the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Guntersville before moving to Beulah Baptist Church in Boaz, where he enjoyed cooking for potlucks, fundraisers, and various special occasions. He was best known for his spaghetti, pork loins, and winning first prize in the annual Chili Cookoff contest five separate times, despite fierce competition. Jim enjoyed gardening, spending time with his family and friends, and serving his community by building wheelchair ramps, doing home renovation work after storms, and helping members of the community with various construction projects.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Henderson King, his two daughters, Kimberly Bonello of Aurora, CO, Julie Millard (husband, Keith) of Pollock Pines, CA, his son, James Russell (Russ) King of Aurora, five granddaughters, Amanda and Emily Bonello (Kim) of Aurora, Alyssa Burke (Russ), Mariah Curry (Julie) of Sacramento, CA, and Kylie King (Russ) or Kalamazoo, MI, one grandson, Michael Bonello (Kim) of Aurora, CO, three great granddaughters, Aniah and Rayla (Amanda), Declan (Kylie), one great grandson, Locklan (Kylie), and four step-sons, Scott Schooler, Seattle, WA, Craig Schooler, Canyon Lake, TX, Mark Schooler, Houston, TX, and Adam Henderson, Austin, TX.

Other survivors include his three sisters, Eula Jones (husband, Skipper) of Mobile, Glenda Chambers of Mobile, and Nina Ward (husband, Wayne) of Wentzville, MO, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Charlotte Davis (widower, Steve) and Brenda Clayton (widower, Gerald), and his brother, Robert (Bob) King (widow, Ellaine).

A memorial service will be held on August 28th at 10:30 AM at Beulah Baptist Church, 1991 Beulah Road, Boaz, AL 35957. Internment will take place at Providence Cemetery in Gallion, Alabama, at a later date.