James Guthrie King

Mr. James Guthrie King, age 96, of Waverly, TN passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Humphreys County Nursing Home. He was born January 24, 1923 in Waverly, TN to Morris M. and Susan Pearl Forrest King. After graduating high school he moved to Los Angeles, CA and worked at Lockheed building combat aircrafts. Mr. King returned home and was employed in Civil Service at Smyrna, TN before entering military service. He enlisted at Miami, FL on February 23, 1942. As a cadet studying at Davidson College in Davidson, NC, he attended church one Sunday nearby in Mooresville, NC. This is when he met his future wife. James and Madge Horton Boyd were married June 24, 1944 in Marianna, FL. Together they had six children. After studying at Davidson College, his military training took him to Maxwell Field, AL to Sumter, SC and to Marianna, FL where he received his commission and pilot wings on June 27, 1944. He was stationed in Punta Gorda, FL then shipped overseas for duty as a member of the U.S. Army Air Force, 339th Fighter Group, Squadron 504 in the European Theater of Operations. He was stationed in Fowlmere, England as a pilot of a P51 Mustang. At the conclusion of WWII he returned to his hometown of Waverly, TN where he worked along side his brother, Leon, managing Waverly’s local airport until its closure around 1963. In 1948 he began working for Frank Langford at his timber business. In September 1952 James and his brother bought this business from Mr. Langford. A few years later they acquired a second business in Camden, TN. These businesses became known as Waverly Lumber Company and Camden Lumber Company. In the late 60’s James became sole owner of the Waverly business and his brother, owner of Camden Lumber Company. Waverly Lumber expanded over the years. James installed the first ready mixed concrete plant west of Nashville in TN and obtained the first building contractors license in Humphreys County. During the 60’s and 70’s he employed up to 72 people and built over 500 private homes and commercial buildings. He worked six days a week until he stepped aside at the age of 91. James was a member of the Waverly Church of Christ and attended every service after returning home from the military until his health declined in May 2018. Visitation: will be held from 4:00 – 8:00pm Saturday, May 11th at Humphreys County Funeral Home and from 1:00pm until service time Sunday, May 12th at Waverly Church of Christ. Funeral Services: for Mr. King will be conducted at 2:00pm Sunday, May 12, 2019 at Waverly Church of Christ with Bro. Jeff Keele and the late Bro. Lee Brown officiating and Arthur Coleman serving as Song Leader. Interment: will follow in the Wyly Cemetery. Survivors: Sons: Thomas Michael King (Terry) of Windsor, CO Gerald Wayne King of Waverly, TN Lindsay Morris King (Madonna) of Waverly, TN James Boyd King of Waverly, TN Daughter: Rose Mary King of Waverly, TN Brother: Thomas H. Hamilton (Laury) of Lenoir City, TN Grandchildren: Brandi Hutto (Gene), Lara Wooton, Matthew King Christie King-Patterson (Scott), Jeremy King (Jessica) Rebekah Scribner (Todd), Rachel Hardin (Jason) Great Grandchildren: Andrew King (Diana), Kamryn Jensen Dawson Wooton, Kaylan King Ryan Patterson, Kinley King Kasidy Simons, Wyatt Scribner Rylee Patterson Preceded in death by: Parents: Morris M. King and Susan Pearl Forrest King Wife: Madge Boyd King Son: Robert Davis King Brother: Joseph Leon King Sister: Mavis Evonne Bone In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief, 410 Allied Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 or Tennessee Children’s Home, an orphanage that the church has supported for years, 804 Branham Hughes Circle, Spring Hill, TN 37174. You may also leave your donation at the funeral home and we will forward for you. Arrangements by the Humphreys County Funeral Home (931) 296-5955