Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Frank Ferris King

Frank Ferris King, 87, of Hope passed away at his home on Thursday, April 12, 2001.

Mr. King was born May 23, 1913, in Prescott to John Ellis and Lena Vune Ferris King, who preceded him in death. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Hope for fifty years. During those years he served as a deacon, men's Sunday school class teacher and superintendent of the adult Sunday school department for 29 years. Mr. King was the last charter member of the Hope Lions Club, where he served as the third president and held many other offices in the club over the years. While in business, he was a member of the Hope Chamber of Commerce and served as president in 1956, the year the first prize was awarded for the largest watermelon.

Mr. King graduated from Prescott High School and Magnolia A&M (now SAU) before serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps for two years. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served his country as an instructor in diesel mechanics and later served on the ship USS Randall in the Pacific. On returning home he, along with others, founded a wood-working plant that later was known as Southwest Wood Products. Step ladders, extension ladders and screen doors were manufactured at this plant for 39 years. Ladders were shipped by truck and rail to 45 states. Mr. King was also affiliated with Gunter Bros. Lumber Company of Ashdown and Wilton.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Dora Gunter King of Hope; one son, John Alfred King of Hope; two daughters, Dora Ann and her husband, Don Purdy of Nashville, Tenn., and Peggy Lucille and her husband, Danny Bobbitt of San Antonio, Texas; six grandchildren, Alan Purdy and wife Christi, Susan Purdy, Lena King Ross and husband Shane, Christopher King, Amanda Beth Bobbitt and Emily Jane Bobbitt; one step granddaughter, Sara Rhodes; and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 14, at First Bapitst Church in Hope with Rev. Wade Hood and Rev. Earl Cumbie officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Hope under the direction of Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home of Hope.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Third and Main Sts. in Hope.