Obituary of Paul LaVerne King

Paul LaVerne King, 69, of 38 Notting Hill Lane, Iowa City, died at his home Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2009, at the Iowa City Church of the Nazarene with the Reverend Michael R. Lynch officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7 pm Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Paul’s memory to the Iowa City Church of the Nazarene or Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Paul was born November 9, 1939, in Boone, Iowa, the son of Ralph and Ada (Hawkins) King. Following graduation from Boone High School, where he was homecoming king and class president, he attended various colleges, graduating from the University of Iowa in 1963. He taught High School biology in Aledo, Illinois, for two years, then returned to Iowa City where he worked as a researcher for the University of Iowa until his retirement in 2004. The thing that defined Paul most was his relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus was his Savior, Sanctifier and constant Source of strength. Paul served as a faithful layman and church leader throughout his adult life, even helping to plant a Church of the Nazarene in Aledo, Illinois. He remained an active member of the Iowa City Church of the Nazarene until his death. Paul was united in marriage to Virginia A. Crow on June 30, 1961. It was the first wedding in the new Iowa City Nazarene church building. Paul passionately loved his wife for over 47 years. “Ginny” was Paul’s best friend, lover and selfless caregiver in his final years. Paul’s children and grandchildren brought him great joy and pride. He cheered for their educational, athletic and musical accomplishments. He was a source of wisdom and “prayed his family through” many crises. Paul enjoyed playing volleyball, the violin and singing. He worked with wood and tackled any project around the house. He cheered for his Hawkeyes in good times and bad. And he was often found with a camera in his hand. His family includes his loving wife, Ginny; children, Pamela S. King of Overland Park, KS; Lisa A. Bowles (Dr. Barry Bowles) of Kearney, MO; and Rev. David P. King (Tracy) of Cedar Rapids, IA; six grandchildren: Grace E. King, Anna O. King, Richard P. Bowles, Hunter R. Bowles, Gabriel D. Bowles, and Ryan A. Bowles; brothers and sisters: Esther Kelley (Dell) of Springfield, MO; Helen Shafer (Allen) of Springfield, MO; Bob King (Phyllis) of El Sobrante, CA; David King of Jacksonville, Fl; Dean King (Marilyn) of Ottumwa, IA; Sharon Sturtz (Bill) of Boone, IA; and sister-in-law, JoAnn King of Boone, IA. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Philip King, sister, Naomi Johnson, sister-in-law, Veda King, and granddaughter, Katherine Grace King.