Lawrence Edward King Sr.

Lawrence Edward King, Sr. born on April 25, 1937, from humble beginnings, grew in the gospel of Jesus Christ to become a Mountain of a Man. He was the only son of Katherine R. King. Lawrence was a strong, devoted father and husband, first to Susanna R. Christopher (who preceded him in death) with whom he shared five children, Mark, Connie, Larry, Thomas, and Samuel and three bonus sons, Edward, Richard, and Tony. After the great loss of Susan, the Lord saw that Lawrence needed a companion, and he found a devoted wife in Sylvia, who catered to his every need. Their union expanded the King family with three additional children: Cynthia, Judy, and Chip. Along the way, he and Sylvia adopted Pansy as a daughter and had an opportunity to visit with her in North Dakota. Lawrence was a very dedicated man who was exemplary in his service to God, family, country, and anyone in need. He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ (headquartered in Monongahela, PA) at the young age of 13, was ordained a teacher, and then later ordained a minister on Mother's Day 1976. Brother Lawrence went out of his way, as Jesus would, to pray for those in need, night or day. 

He was passionate about sharing the Lord and made many trips to visit with the Indigenous people of the Munsee-Delaware Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River, Saugeen First Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe, the island of Dominica, and the country of Columbia. Over the years, Lawrence provided well for his family through farming, steel mill work, hardware sales at Montgomery Wards, gas and oil dispatching, and case work through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, from which he retired in 2002. 

Throughout his life, family and friends would come and go, enjoying short stays or extended time at the "King's Bed and Breakfast". He loved his children and their prodigy and never missed an opportunity to share the Lord with them. Mr. King was a Veteran who proudly served his country for more than 8 years in the Army Reserves and went to Fort Bragg when President Kennedy called up the troops in 1961. He prayed continually for everyone, everywhere and lived the best example of kindness that he could. Although he always went above and beyond the call of duty, he never wanted to be lifted above anyone else and always rooted for the underdog. His passing on December 26, 2024, leaves a huge hole in the hearts of many who called Lawrence Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. 

He is survived by his wife Sylvia Beeman Smith King with whom he had celebrated 21 years in October, three children Mark (Judy) King, Connie (Terry) Gottschall, and Larry (Missy) King; daughter-in-law Jacqui King; two bonus sons Edward and Richard Jimerson; three stepchildren Cynthia (Ray) Bright, Judy Peyton, Chip (Karen) Smith; adopted daughter Pansy Goodall; 19 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his infant son Samuel King, son Thomas King, bonus son Tony Jimerson, and grandson T.J. Glover. 

Visitation will be held Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Parzynski Funeral Home & Cremations LLC, Family Owned and Operated, 191 Liberty St. Perryopolis, PA 724-736-2515. All family and friends are to gather directly to The Church of Jesus Christ, Vanderbilt for funeral services on Friday at 10:00 AM with the Minister Samuel Cuomo and Minister Chip Smith officiating. Interment will take place in Bowman-Flatwoods Cemetery.