A naval aviator, engineer, teacher, artist, author, avid sailor and runner, world traveler, and pickleball pioneer, Joe was endlessly curious about the world around him and tireless in his desire to share life’s adventures with others, young and old, who invariably became friends. Most of all, Joe was a supportive, caring, generous, and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who always was looking to conjure up a good time and a lasting memory.

Joe was born on December 18, 1933, in Brownwood, Texas, the youngest of William and Mamie King’s four children. He graduated from Brownwood High School in 1951 and studied engineering at Texas A&M and Texas Tech universities before being accepted for naval flight training. He earned his wings and was commissioned in the United States Naval Air Force in 1955 and flew F4D SkyRay fighter jets out of Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California as part of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) during the height of the Cold War. Following active duty, he remained a reservist for twenty-six years—rising to the rank of commander while working at numerous companies, including Stromberg-Datagraphics and Teledyne Micronetics engineering antisubmarine and other electronic systems for military aircraft. Joe went on to earn master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration.

While stationed in Coronado, Joe married Mary Carlin in 1958 and the young couple raised three beautiful daughters: Mary Katherine (“Katy”), Anne, and Sara.

In 1979, Joe moved to Findlay, Ohio 1933 ~ 2025

to begin work at RCA Semiconductor Company as a production engineering manager. He soon met Edythe (“Edy”) L. Benschneider, and they married in 1984. Joe and Edy were deeply committed to each other and to the Findlay community, and Joe took special joy in teaching courses at Owens Community College, his service to the Kiwanis Club, and on the board of the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. He and Edy spent twenty-three joyous years together—sailing, traveling, and visiting family—until Edy’s premature death from illness.

Joe married Marilyn (“Lyn”) Moore in 2008 and spent the last years of his life in constant and happy motion, pursuing their shared passions in writing, art, travel, and living between favorite destinations, including Northport and Petoskey in Michigan, Ajijic, Mexico, and Bradenton and Venice, Florida. Most recently, they called Waters Edge of Bradenton home.

Lyn survives Joe, as do two of his daughters, Anne McCoy and Sara King. He also is survived by four stepchildren: Brian Benschneider, Beth Robinson, Brad Benschneider, and Bob Benschneider; one grandson: Joey Fallon; one greatgranddaughter: Ketzia Fallon; one son-in-law: Rod Messinger; five step grandchildren: Ryan Robinson, Sarah Lanser, Matthew Benschneider, Christopher Benschneider, and Ava Benschneider; and several step greatgrandchildren who will get to know “Grandpa Joe” only through images and the many memories their elders will proudly share.

No public memorial is currently planned. Those wishing to honor Joe and further his legacy are asked to consider donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (www.bbbs.org/) or the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (www.nmcrs.org/).