Alexander King, 78, of Woodbridge, Virginia, peacefully went home to be with the Lord in the early morning of Saturday, December 4, 2021. To his family and friends, he will always be their guardian and sturdy oak.
Alex was born on October 24, 1943 to loving parents, Herbert King, Sr., and Katherine Evans King of Georgetown, South Carolina. An energetic and sharp child, Alex started first grade at 4 years old, as he wanted to attend school with his playmate and older cousin. Using his natural gift of persuasion, even at 4, he convinced his parents, and soon thereafter was in class with his older cousin.
As a teenager, Alex did not want to wear what would become his signature eyeglasses, but he knew he had to pass the required eye exam to get his driver’s license. He also knew that without eyeglasses he would fail the eye examination. To make sure he met his goal, Alex visited the driving test office, supposedly to secure a copy of the driving manual, and copied the eye chart line-by-line. When he took his driving license eye exam, he simply recited the eye chart by memory. He passed the eye exam, got his driving license, and always remembered every line of the eye chart by heart.
Graduating at 16 from Howard High School in 1960, Alex went on to serve in the U.S. Navy as part of its Medical Service Corps. After successfully and honorably completing his service, he attended South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and in 1968 earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Husbandry. It was during this time that he also entered a lifetime brotherhood with his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
As a student at South Carolina State University, Alex was instantly smitten by Mary, who would later become his wife. The college sweethearts married January 11, 1969, and in 1974 welcomed their daughter, Alexis. Alex reveled in attending her ballet performances, graduations, and was proud to walk her down the aisle to fellow Omega, Steven Holmes. Alex also was proud of and deeply loved his grandchildren, Lailaa and Adel, and continued to attend ballet performances and graduations, in addition to football and basketball games. He loved teaching Lailaa how to drive and teaching Adel how to fish.
After 35 years of federal government service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alex retired in 2001 as Deputy Administrator for the Farm Services Administration and was a member of the Senior Executive Service of the United States of America.
After retirement, he went on to enjoy a series of entrepreneurial ventures, and a much-loved position as a sales associate for CarMax.
Alex was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He was initiated into the Xi Psi Chapter at South Carolina State University in 1965. After relocating to Virginia in 1977, Alex became a member of Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter. He led countless initiatives and programs, including the chapter’s Annual Boat Ride and Talent Hunt, which raised significant resources to support important activities in the community. Eventually, Alex was tasked with starting a new chapter in Woodbridge, Virginia, chartered with the purpose of reclaiming brothers in the area. As a founder of this new chapter, Pi Lambda Lambda, Alex was proud to see it become one of the premiere chapters in the DC Metropolitan area. He also was honored to have been recognized as Omega Man of the Year twice (in 1988 by Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter and 2004 by Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter). Alex has 55 years of service to the fraternity.
As a member of the Fellowship Club in Woodbridge, Virginia, Alex immensely enjoyed the camaraderie and the community service the group provided. In 2020, the Fellowship Club raised thousands of dollars to support the purchase of more than 200 ukuleles for students in the music program at George Hampton Middle School in Dale City, Virginia. When he learned of the schools need, he spearheaded the effort to raise almost $10,000 for the students in a matter of days.
Over the years, Alex made a number of trips to South Africa. Partnering with WorldVision, he raised significant amounts of resources for South African children and families. Alex enthusiastically influenced his family and friends to join in the effort to sponsor children’s education in South Africa.
Alex loved fishing and hunting and kept a detailed book of his trips. He would host large annual wild game dinners and his family and friends loved being gifted with bags of fresh caught fish. He was known for making mouthwatering salmon croquettes, the sweetest candied yams, and the tastiest Frogmore stew. Alex also inaugurated and subsequently organized the King Family Reunions, passionately sharing family history and developing relationships with scores of relatives across the country. An avid traveler, in addition to South Africa, Alex also traveled to South America, Cuba, and Europe.
Alex will always be the silent hand who quietly and nonchalantly helped family, friends, and his beloved neighbors. He also loved a good story and hearty laugh. Alex was a longtime member of Alfred Street Baptist Church, and he proudly and faithfully served on the men’s usher board. Alex lived a full life with purpose and intention. His family and friends will fondly remember how he curated such a well-lived life and a spirit-led home filled with love, vitality, fishing memorabilia, and his favorite collections of ducks.
Alex was preceded in death by his father, Herbert King, Sr., and mother, Katherine Evans King, and sister, Maddie Mae Blunt.
He leaves to cherish his fondest memories, his loving wife, Mary of 52 years, and his daughter, Alexis (Steven); brothers, Herbert Jr. (Francis), Bernard (Ann), and Ronald (Brenda); grandchildren, Lailaa and Adel; and nieces, nephews, cousins, fraternity brothers, and many longtime friends and neighbors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the George M. Hampton Foundation, P.O. Box 2608, Woodbridge, VA 22195 or online at www.gmhfoundation.org/donate or the Alfred Street Baptist Church Foundation, 325 S. Patrick St. Alexandria, VA 22314 or online at www.alfredstreet.org/stewardship/asbc-foundation.
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