King, Alpha Ray (1886-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Jun 1 p. 6

Birth date: 1886 Jan 24

text of obituary:

ALPHA RAY KING

Alpha Ray King, son at Jacob Z. and Barbara (King) King was born January 24, 1886 near West Liberty, Ohio, and passed away at his home, Iowa City, Iowa, March 22, 1950, aged 64 years, one month and twenty-eight days.

In his youth he accepted Christ as his Saviour and united with the South Union Mennonite church near West Liberty, Ohio. On September 28, 1911, he was married to Blanche Elizabeth Yoder at Johnson county, Iowa. For the greater share at their married life they resided on a farm near Parnell, Iowa. In 1941, because of ill health on the part of the husband they moved to Iowa City, Iowa where they were residing at the time of his death, which was caused by a heart attack.

To this union were born three daughters: (Nora) Mrs. Leslie F. Hathaway of Philadelphia, Mo; Edna, at home; and (Beulah) Mrs. James G. Koch of Philadelphia, Penna., all of whom survive. Also left to mourn his departure are his companion and her mother, Mrs. Matilda Yoder, who resided with them; a sister, Anna M. Hartzler of Belleville, Penna.; a brother, Joe F. King of Bellefontaine, three grandsons, and a host of relatives and friends.

As a companion and father he was cherished and respected and had friends in all walks of life to whom he witnessed by his daily living of a profound faith in Christ. During all of his Christian life he was a member of the Mennonite church and at the time of his death a member of the Mennonite Mission church of Iowa City.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and stepmother, three infant brothers and a half-sister, Carrie M. King.

His absence is keenly felt by his immediate family and relatives and friends, but the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord."

Brief services were held at the home by Bro. D. J. Fisher of Kalona, Iowa, and the funeral services were held at the West Union Mennonite church, Parnell, Iowa by Bro. Norman Hobbs of Iowa City, Iowa and Paul T. Guengerich, of Parnell, Iowa. Text, Amos 4:12. "Prepare to meet thy God.” Burial in cemetery nearby.