Robert Eugene King

Robert (Bob) Eugene King, 84, of Louisiana, Missouri, passed away October 7, 2011, at Maple Grove Lodge in Louisiana, Missouri. Bob was born February 20, 1927, to Thomas and Kathleen King. He was raised in Warren County, Missouri, by his adoptive parents Harry and Ida Howell. Following graduation from Warrenton High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in WWII. He then attended the University of Missouri - Columbia where he pursued agricultural studies. He was married to Ina Mae Hamilton on June 8, 1950. During his senior year, he was called to active duty in the Korean Conflict. He was a long time employee of Hercules Inc., retiring in 1977. He went on to work at the US Postal Service and retired in 1989. He operated his own residential and farm appraisal business until 2002. Bob was a tireless advocate for people with developmental disabilities. He held numerous state offices for The ARC – Missouri Chapter (formally the Missouri Association for Retarded Citizens) including serving as state president from 1974 to 1977. He also was president and board member of the Pike County Sheltered Workshop (Pike Shop). Bob was active in the community of Louisiana, Missouri, serving as a city councilman, president of the Lions Club, and chairman of the Dangerous Building Committee. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ina Mae; son Michael and his wife Susan of Republic, Missouri; grandsons Zachary of Kingsland, Georgia and Benjamin of Burlington, Vermont. He was preceded in death by his daughter Deborah. A memorial service in celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, at the Collier Funeral Home, 117 Barnard Drive, Louisiana, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. A private graveside service will follow at a later date at the Central Grove Cemetery in Warren County, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Deborah Mae King Scholarship Fund, in care of the Missouri Electric Cooperatives Employees’ Credit Union, PO Box 1586, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Contributions may also be made to the Centenary United Methodist Church Memorial Fund in care of Collier Funeral Home. The family extends a special “thank you” to the staff of Maple Grove Lodge and Pike County Home Care & Hospice for their excellent care and compassion in Bob’s final days.