G. Rick King

G. Rick King of Dalton died unexpectedly Friday night, November 29, 2024, at his home while watching the Georgia Bulldogs next to his beloved wife of almost 48 years. By the time the game ended following eight overtimes, Rick was likely fully checked into his heavenly reward and in a higher position to see his Dawgs win the game.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen Smith King; daughter, Courtney King Hitchens and husband Jack; son, Andy King and fiancé Virginia Cook; grandsons, Jackson and Sawyer Hitchens; brother Steven Asa King; step-mother Pat Panter King; sister, Lee Mann Hardin (Bill); step-sisters Mundy Mann Rado (Tim) and Leslie Mann Mallard (Robert), sisters-in-law, Mary White, Jean Lowrey, Anne Walker, Shirley Westmoreland (Gary) and brother-in-law, Carl A. Smith.

Rick King was preceded in death by his father, Jerry King; his mother, Vernell Cook Mann; his step-father, Robert Mann, Sr.; his grandparents, Horace and Sara King and Farley and Bessie Cook; and his step-brother, Robert (Robby) Mann, Jr.

Except for the four-year period during which he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army and was assigned to variety of posts, including Germany, King was a native and life-long resident of Whitfield County.  His career started and ended in the carpet business.  His work affiliations included Patcraft Mills and Mohawk Industries as well as a wholesale-retail carpet sales company, Floor Trends, which he co-founded and operated for 19 years.

He was educated in both the Whitfield County and Dalton Public Schools graduating from Dalton High School in 1972.  He also received a degree from the former Dalton Junior College, now Dalton State College.

A member of the First United Methodist Church of Dalton, Rick was active on many fronts including the Chancel Choir and the Church Council, which he chaired at one point.  He also chaired the Friendship House Childcare Center Board among other community activities.

His spare time found him grilling, playing grandfather and golf.  Making delicious omelets, tasty chicken salad and his well-loved salsa, he also made family and friends happy with his frequent and generous gifts of food.  All the while, he accompanied his hobbies, and indeed his life, with a steady, underlying rhythm of support for anything Georgia Bulldog and a healthy dose of optimism.

Funeral services for Rick King will be Monday, December 2 at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of Dalton First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Steven Usry and the Rev. Mark Miller officiating.

Visitation will precede the service from 2 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. in the church atrium.

Memorial gifts may be made to Dalton First United Methodist Church or one’s favorite charity.

Dalton First United Methodist Church