John W. King

John W. King was born September 19, 1919, in Perry, Iowa, the son of John C. and Bertha McKinney King. During World War II, he entered the United States Coast Guard on May 26, 1942.

King received training at Manhattan Beach, New York, as well as in Maine and California. By the end of his service he had attained the rank of Seaman First Class. He was discharged from the Coast Guard on October 9, 1945, after more than three years of wartime service.

While still serving, King married Theressa Gyland of Stoughton on July 25, 1944, at First Lutheran Church. Following the war, the couple made their home in rural Stoughton, where they raised two children, Jerry and Janell.

King spent many years farming in the Town of Dunkirk and also worked as a painting contractor in the Stoughton area. His interests eventually extended into the agricultural business community as well. A 1974 photograph shows him representing Stoughton at a P-A-G Seeds Dealer Council meeting in Galena, Illinois, where dealers discussed hybrid seed corn and growing conditions.

King became active in American Legion Post 59 and served in several leadership positions. In 1955, he was elected Adjutant under Commander Ludwig Ladd. He later went on to serve as Commander of Post 59, continuing an involvement with the Legion that remained important throughout his life. His obituary remembered him as a past commander of the Post.

His community involvement reached well beyond the American Legion. King was a member of First Lutheran Church, Stoughton Masonic Lodge No. 73 F.&A.M., the Lake-Land Radio Club, the Dane County Emergency Medical Services Commission, the Stoughton Jaycees and the Stoughton Optimists Club.

King also became involved in emergency medical service. As a driver for Ward's Ambulance Service in Stoughton, he completed an advanced course in the practical and emergency care of the sick and injured sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the University of Wisconsin Medical Center. The training reflected another way in which he contributed to the Stoughton community.

John and Theressa celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 1969 with an open house at their rural Stoughton home. By that time, their family included their children Jerry and Janell and a grandchild.

John W. King died unexpectedly on March 6, 1983, at the age of 63 while vacationing in New Port Richey, Florida. He was survived by Theressa, their son Jerry and daughter Janell, five grandchildren, two sisters and four brothers. He was buried at Wheeler Prairie Cemetery following military graveside rites.

King's life combined wartime Coast Guard service with farming, business, veterans affairs and years of involvement in the Stoughton community. From his service during World War II to his leadership in Post 59 and his later work in emergency medical care, he remained connected to the community he called home for most of his adult life.