Freddy James King (Lansing)

The life and legacy of FJK....

He was born on Tuesday,  May 1, 1945, bringing a bundle of joy to Chris King and Johnnie Eva Dillard King of Blytheville, Arkansas. He was the oldest of their eight children.

Early on in life, Freddy James found Christ. He became a true believer in Jesus Christ and was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Blytheville, Arkansas, attending BTU and other youth related functions at the church.

As a teenager in high school, Freddy was a star athlete and earned letters in both basketball and football. As he also earned the catchy title- “Freddy Fox” from his coach, Ira T. Young, for his quickness on both the basketball court and the football field! Being such a popular and outstanding athlete, he also had a flair and attraction for the ladies…so he fathered his first son… Henry Donald Franklin, at the early age of seventeen.

Upon graduating from Richard B. Harrison High School in 1964, he moved to Indianapolis Indiana, where he and his high school heart throb, Delores D. Rice, were married in April 1965. They were two peas in a pod for many years and to that union one son was born, Frederick LaMarr King, in June 1966, in Chicago Illinois.

When he moved to Lansing Michigan in December 1967, Mr. King worked with General Motors for a short while until he became interested in the HVAC industry and trade. There he mastered this craft and spent many years servicing the Lansing as well as Detroit communities with his sought-after skill. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy the camaraderie and friendships he gained as he’d make sure folk had heat for this cold Michigan weather and some comfort for its short hot summer months. He genuinely loved people and his love for every game of sport never ever waned a single minute. Freddy also enjoyed golfing, fishing, spending time with friends, reading his Bible, listening to music, and watching westerns.

Once divorced after 17 years of marriage, Mr. King vowed not to remarry. Yet, his carefree nature and charismatic charm flourished, and he fathered two other sons... Frederick James Fry, in 1987 and Darrion Fisher in 1994, whom he loved dearly. He made every effort to be in the lives of all four sons.

Freddy, who now walks with the Lord, was preceded in transition by his mother, Johnnie; father, Chris, Sr; sister, Dr. Lovalerie King; brothers, Chris Jr., Bobby Joe, Billy Ray, and Stevie Earl; nephew, Christopher James; eight aunts and six uncles.

He was deeply loved and as he departed this earthly realm, entering his heavenly home on Friday, July 7, 2023, at 8:03AM, his nearby loved ones mourned his departure. He cherished life and leaves a 78 year legacy of love and loving memories for his four sons Henry D. of Jackson Michigan, Frederick (Marty) L. of Lansing, Michigan, Frederick J. of Lansing, Michigan, and Darrion (Cheriste) of Nashville, Tennessee; his beloved baby sister, Earnestine Cassandra “Tiny” (James) Davis and brother, Charles Earl King, both of Lansing, Michigan; grandsons, Giovanni Chambers-King, Mario Gabriel-King, and Kyree McKnight-King all of Lansing; nieces, Cecilia King, Erin King, Cassandra (Calden) Hopkins, Tynesia Phifer, Marguerite (Buddy) Rembert, A’Lynne King, and Yvette King; nephews, Billy King, Jeffrey Moss, Shawn Phifer, Eric (Wendi) King, Jovon (Etoya) Barnes, Rodney (Care) Allen, Anthony Aubrey, and Willem King; uncle, Bennie (Ira) Cleveland; aunt, Dora B. Dillard; many cousins, other relatives and friends, including lifelong friend, Dee (Myron) Freeman and best friend, Bruce Fletcher.