Joe King Obituary

Joe King

Joe King, who lived a life in motion and in service to country, community, and family, died peacefully Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida, one month shy of his 92nd birthday.

A naval aviator, engineer, teacher, artist, author, avid sailor and runner, world traveler, and pickleball pioneer, Joe was endlessly curious about the world around him and tireless in his desire to share life's adventures with others, young and old, who invariably became friends. Most of all, Joe was a supportive, caring, generous, and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who was always looking to conjure up a good time and a lasting memory.

Joe was born December 18, 1933, in Brownwood, Texas, the youngest of William and Mamie King's four children. He graduated from Brownwood High School in 1951 and studied engineering at Texas A&M and Texas Tech universities before being accepted for naval flight training. He earned his wings and was commissioned in the United States Naval Air Force in 1955 and flew F4D SkyRay fighter jets out of Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, as part of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) during the height of the Cold War. Following active duty, he remained a reservist for 26 years, rising to the rank of commander while working at numerous companies, including Stromberg-Datagraphics and Teledyne Micronetics, where he engineered anti-submarine and other electronic systems for military aircraft. Joe earned a master's degree in both mechanical engineering and business administration.

While stationed in Coronado, Joe married Mary Carlin in 1958, and the young couple went on to raise three beautiful daughters, Mary Katherine ("Katy"), Anne, and Sara.

In 1979, Joe moved to Findlay to begin work at RCA Semiconductor Company as a production engineering manager. He soon met Edythe ("Edy") L. Benschneider, and they married in 1984. Joe and Edy were deeply committed to each other and to the Findlay community, and Joe took special joy in teaching courses at Owens Community College, serving on the board of the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and serving in the Kiwanis Club. He and Edy spent 23 joyous years together, sailing, traveling, and visiting family, until Edy's premature death from illness.

Joe married Marilyn ("Lyn") Moore in 2008 and spent the last years of his life in constant and happy motion, pursuing their shared passions in writing, art, travel, and living between favorite destinations, including Northport and Petoskey in Michigan, Ajijic, Mexico, and Bradenton and Venice, Florida. Most recently, they called Bradenton's Waters Edge home.

Lyn survives Joe, as do two of his daughters, Anne McCoy and Sara King. He also is survived by four stepchildren, Brian Benschneider, Beth Robinson, Brad Benschneider, and Bob Benschneider; one grandson, Joey Fallon; one great-granddaughter, Ketzia Fallon; one son-in-law, Rod Messinger; five stepgrandchildren, Ryan Robinson, Sarah Lanser, Matthew Benschneider, Christopher Benschneider, and Ava Benschneider; and several stepgreat-grandchildren, who will get to know "Grandpa Joe" only through images and the many memories their elders will proudly share.

No public memorial is currently planned. Those wishing to honor Joe and further his legacy are asked to consider donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (www.bbbs.org/) or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (www.nmcrs.org/).