John Thomas King

My life has been shaped by movement, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for history. Born and raised in Alabama, I later moved to North Carolina as a teenager—a shift that broadened my perspective and deepened my connection to the stories that shape who we are. My career has taken me across multiple fields, from political campaigns to retail, nonprofit service, and now, higher education. Each step has reinforced my passion for helping others grow through leadership development, storytelling, or simply fostering a sense of belonging. Genealogy is more than just a pastime for me—it’s a way to bridge the past and the future. Uncovering the names, places, and experiences of those who came before me has been a powerful journey that reminds me how deeply our lives are connected across generations. This journey has also revealed the profound legacy of military service and sacrifice within my family—a tradition that has shaped our identity and sense of duty.
My family’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and sacrifice. My paternal grandmother’s ancestors were Prussian-German immigrants who arrived in America in the late 19th century under the Homestead Act, seeking new opportunities on the frontier. They settled in Kansas, carving out a life in a land of promise and challenge before later generations found their way to the Deep South. Our legacy is deeply marked by service and loss, most poignantly through the life and ultimate sacrifice of my great-uncle (elder brother of my paternal grandfather), Charles Edwin King II. Born in Adamsville, Alabama, in 1918, Ed was the eldest surviving son of Alta Lamar King, a future circuit judge, and Donna Lou Collins King. He excelled at the University of Alabama, where his leadership and commitment to service foreshadowed his military career. In 1940, Ed enlisted as an aviation cadet, and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the Army Air Corps, training across the South before marrying Mildred Alice Miller in 1942. Ed was sent to North Africa with the 60th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, where he flew more than 50 combat missions in the Tunisia Campaign. His courage was recognized when he shot down a German fighter and evaded capture behind enemy lines—a feat celebrated at home and in the Allied press. Yet, just days after this act of heroism, on March 29, 1943, Lt. King was killed in action during a reconnaissance mission over Tunisia, his life cut short at age 25. His remains were eventually repatriated to Birmingham, where he was laid to rest with full military honors, and he was posthumously awarded the Air Medal, Gold Star, and Purple Heart. The impact of Ed’s sacrifice resonated deeply within our family. His widow, Mildred, returned for his funeral before building a new life, while his younger brothers, Don and Tom, both served in the military and went on to distinguished careers—Don as a surgeon and Army medical officer, and Tom, my grandfather, as an Alabama State Senator and civic leader. Tom’s own dedication to public service was shaped by the memory of his brother’s valor and loss. Through war, migration, and changing times, my family’s history reflects the broader American story—one of perseverance, adaptation, and the pursuit of a better life, but also of the costs borne by those who serve. I am proud to continue uncovering and preserving these stories, ensuring they are remembered and passed down for future generations. After all, the past is never truly gone; it lives in the stories we choose to tell, and in the legacy of sacrifice that inspires us still.