Vernon Andrew 'Andy' King, Jr

Vernon Andrew King, Jr. (Andy), 91, earned his eternal rest, with his family by his side on May 30, 2023, in Mount Washington, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Irene Waterman King and Vernon Andrew King, Sr., and sister, Muriel Tiepke King Baber.

Andy was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 68 years, Joan Ida Pilblad King, Louisville, KY; their three sons, Jeffrey (Louise), Ballston Lake, NY; Paul (Anna), Houston, TX; and Scott (Victoria), Louisville, KY; grandchildren Chelsea (Chris), Morgan (Logan), Dillon, Conor, and Kyle (Isabella), and great-grandchildren Naomi, Adelynn, Teagan, Shiloh, Landon, and Cameron; along with many nieces and nephews.

Andy enlisted in the Navy a year into the Korean War and served onboard USS Ingersoll (DD 652). He was first in his class as a Machinist Mate at Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes, IL. After finishing his tour, Andy and Joan married in Attleboro, Massachusetts, their hometown, and moved to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where he attended Michigan College of Mining and Technology, receiving a Bachelor Degree in Metallurgical Science and Engineering. He also received a M.S. in Engineering Management, from Northeastern University, Boston, MA. Eventually settling in Clifton Park, NY, Andy worked and retired from General Electric Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL). After retiring, Andy and Joan moved to Ormond Beach, FL, where they loved to golf and made many dear friends in Halifax Plantation.

Andy never met a stranger, as he had a penchant for starting conversations with anyone. He loved talking with people and made friends wherever he went. His favorite pastime was rebuilding vehicles, with special interest in antique Fords. He returned them into pristine, classic show condition; his favorite being a prize winning 1930 Ford Model A Roadster, completed with the advice of his buddies within the Adirondack A's Model A Ford Club, NY and the Crankin A's of Daytona Model A Ford Club, FL. 

Handy and a hard worker, he built a summer home with the help of his young sons on Cape Cod in Brewster, Massachusetts. The Brewster house was the site of many family trips and memories over the years prior to his retirement. With his sons, Andy loved fishing adventures on the Cape, clamming on Brewster Flats, and the annual deer hunting trip to VT. He was an active member of the USS Ingersoll veterans group and happily attended their annual reunions.

Andy loved being Poppy/Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. His grandchildren fondly remember the family Hawaii trip; honking the Model A horn in parades and on neighborhood rides; fishing off Ormond Beach; and how proud he was of them.

An interment ceremony with military honors will took place on June 20, 2023 at 12 Noon, at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested contributions in his memory, to the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation (https://iwmf.com), the Alzheimer's Association (https://alz.org), or to your favorite charity.

 Posted online on June 14, 2023Published in Daytona Beach News-Journal