King, Donald

29 Apr King, Donald

April 10, 1917 – May 10, 2010

DONALD G. KING Mr. Donald Genoa King, age 93 years, died on May 10, 2010 at Asbury Solomons – Island Health Care Center. He was born in Lewisdale, MD on April 10, 1917. He was nearly a lifelong resident of Gaithersburg, MD, living there for more than 80 years. He also summered in Neeld Estate, Huntingtown, MD. for more that 40 years. Preceding him in death were his Mother, Emma Jane Lydard King, Father, Fillmore C. King, and three brothers, Clarke King, Malcolm King and Orin King. 

He graduated form Gaithersburg High School in 1934 where he met his wife Elizabeth “Betty” in his Junior year. They were married in 1940. They celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary on January 27, 2010. They lived in Gaithersburg until 2004, when they moved to Asbury Solomons-Island Health Care Center in Solomons, MD. Donald was employed by Bowman Brothers Milling Company, of Gaithersburg, MD. As the Sales Manager for 32 years, until the Company closed. He then worked for William Kendrick Co, a specialty advertising company as a Specialty Advertising Associate, moving after a short while to William A. Lynch Associates, a division of Geiger Brothers Specialty Advertising of Lewiston Maine. He worked with Wm. Lynch Associates until his retirement in 1996. 

He also was an auctioneer and raised Holstein cattle. He was a member of the Gaithersburg Lions Club and 1st President & charter member of Montgomery Central (Derwood) Lions Club. He had over 56 years of perfect attendance in Lions Club and was awarded the highest award achievable in Lionism, the Melvin Jones Award. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for over 50 years, and served as Lay Leader for 30+ years and Sunday School Superintendent. He served on the Board of Trustees for more than 30 years. He also was an associate member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Huntingtown, MD. where he preached several times. Mr. King appeared as Santa Claus for countless organizations and several generations of children throughout the State of Maryland, The District of Columbia & Virginia, including The Washington Redskins Children”s Christmas Party, The Maryland Legislature, The Maryland School for the Blind, The City of Gaithersburg, and many others. He played “Miss Donna” in a comedy skit for over 20 years raising hundreds of dollars for charity. He was a lifetime member of the Montgomery County Fair Board, where he chaired the Lion”s Club Ice Cream Bar for many years. He was a member of the Neeld Estate Citizen”s Association and raised thousands of dollars, over the years, in the Association Annual Auction. In 1996, he moved to Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg and in 2004 transferred to Asbury – Solomons Island at Solomons, MD. 

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth ( Betty ) Freas King, and two children, Sandra King Geest (Jay) of Huntingtown, MD and Donald Wayne King (Ginger) of Germantown, MD.; three grandchildren, Steven Geest, Patrick King, and Katherine King Mangus, two step-grandchildren, Amy Savage and Jenny Savage, and two great grandchildren, Kyle King and Austin Mangus.