J.D. King

Services for J.D. King, 87, Lawrence, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.Mr. King died Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at his home.He was born Sept. 5, 1919, in Batesville, Ark., the son of the Rev. T.J.D. and Roxie Kemp King. Mr. King served in the U.S. Army with the 28th Infantry Division Army-1st during World War II in Luxemburg, Germany. He was captured on the first day of the Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 15, 1944, and was a prisoner of war until a rescue attempt was made by Gen. George S. Patton. He roamed the countryside for 24 hours before being recaptured. He was forced to march 20 miles a day until May 5, 1945, when the U.S. Army rescued him at INNS. He received a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal.He was a manager and district manager for Commonwealth Theaters in Lawrence, Baxter Springs, Great Bend and Warrensburg. He was a sales manager and partner for All Star Dairy and later worked for Roberts Dairy in Kansas City, Kan. Mr. King was a member and past president of the Rotary Club, a member of the Lawrence Country Club, Republican Party and Chairman of the 100 Years of Lawrence Centennial Committee.He married Flora Rae Keesee on July 22, 1941, in Batesville, Ark. She died Dec. 15, 2003.Survivors include two daughters, Jama King and C. Jane Hoyt, both of Lawrence; and three grandchildren, Vanessa, Lauren and Jessica.Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at the funeral home. The family will receive friends after the funeral from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at 1124 West Hills Parkway in Lawrence.The family suggests memorials to Southern Care Hospice or Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association, sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.