John P. King

John Patrick King, 75, of Kalamazoo, passed away unexpectedly on May 27, 2024, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  

He was born on May 19, 1949, to John and Alta (Coyne) King in Evergreen Park, Illinois. After GM certification and 2 years of service in the US Army during the Vietnam War, he married Carol Cooley on September 24, 1977, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and they celebrated 46 years of marriage. John and Carol made their home first in Parchment, later building their own house in Cooper Township. John was a dedicated and thorough heavy equipment mechanic with the Michigan Department of Transportation for 31 years, retiring in 2011.  

John’s favorite hobbies included muscle cars, drag racing, stock car racing, White Sox baseball, rescuing stray dogs that wandered into the MDOT garage, going out for breakfast with his friends, and reading anything in the spy thriller or World War II history section.  For multiple years, he joined the Hot Rod Power Tour behind the wheel of one of his rebuilt Chevy Novas, often joined by his daughter, Harper.

John is survived by his beloved spouse, Carol; his daughter, Harper (King) Mitri, son-in-law, Philip Mitri, and grandchildren, Edward and Patrick Mitri. John is also survived by his sisters, Patricia (Art) Hartman and Mary King, in addition to niece, Joanna (Hartman) Olbrys and Brian Hartman.

He was preceded in death by his father, John; mother, Alta; mother-in-law, Ruth (Goodrich) Ruth; and father-in-law, Gordon Ruth. 

Visitation to celebrate John’s memory will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on June 4, 2024, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan. This will be a time for friends, family, and acquaintances to gather and share their memories of John.  A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on June 5, 2024, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Parchment. 

Burial will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John’s name to Kalamazoo Animal Rescue, Parchment Library, or any other recipient of your choosing.