Gail King

Gail William King, 86, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

He was born April 17, 1928, in Piggott, Arkansas, to William G. and Hazel L. Phelps King. He and Gale Allen were married Dec. 29, 1948, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Gail received a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1951 and a master's degree in extension education from the University of Missouri. Later he received a master's in business administration from UMKC.

He worked 10 years for University of Missouri Extension Service in Perry County, Missouri. From 1963 to 1977 he was area director of the University of Missouri Extension Service over four counties in the greater Kansas City area. His passion was always in agriculture, and in 1977 he moved to Jackson to be the University of Missouri extension agronomy specialist for the counties of Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry, retiring in 1985.

Thereafter, he worked at the former Jackson Exchange Bank as a certified appraiser, focusing on agricultural properties. He continued to stay active in agriculture on his farm he loved so dearly in Puxico, Missouri.

Gail was always giving of himself and his time as evidenced by his many affiliations and awards.

His memberships and affiliations include: member and former trustee of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson; member, Jackson Rotary Club; member, Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Honorary Society and Alpha Zeta Scholastic Honorary Society; and former member, Chamber of Commerce, Independence, Missouri (board member from 1968 to 1970).

His awards and recognitions include: Outstanding Field Staff Award from Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Honorary Society; Distinguished Service Award for University of Missouri Extension Agents in 1961; Distinguished Service Award from National Association of County Agents in 1962, and Vice President's Award for Extension Service in 1971; Special Resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives honoring his work for the University of Missouri in 1977; recognition from the Chamber of Commerce in Independence for service to his community, and recognition from Jackson County Farm Bureau for dedicated service from 1962 to 1977; Friend of Farmers Award from Cape County Farm Bureau in 1984; Friend of Agriculture Award from Southeast Missouri State University in 1985; recognized by the Cape County Extension Council for his lifetime service to extension service and the state of Missouri as a longtime adviser, counselor, friend and neighbor.

Loving survivors include his wife of 65 years, Gale of Jackson; two children, Kathryn King of Jackson and Dr. Scott (Tawny) King of Bucyrus, Kansas; three grandchildren, Maddy (Chris) Barrows of Perryville, Missouri, Tristan and Quinlan King of Bucyrus; three siblings, Don (Phyllis) King of Troy, Missouri, Bernice (the late Hale) Allen of Russellville, Arkansas, and Midge Sandage of Aquilla, Missouri; three sisters-in-law, Juanita (the late W.W. "Bill") King of Poplar Bluff, Allene (the late Daryl) King of Maryland and Carrie (John) Newman of Loudon, Tennessee; a brother-in-law, Michael (Jane) Allen of Puxico; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Norman Abelson, and his parents.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at Brown General Baptist Church in Puxico.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, officiated by the Rev. Ray Placher. Interment will be in Brown Cemetery near the church.

Memorials may be made to Brown Cemetery, in care of Bonnie Taylor of Puxico.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at mccombsfuneralhome.com.