Obituary: Thomas Carol King, Jr.
THOMAS CAROL KING, JR.
Mr. Thomas Carol King, Jr., affectionately known as “Tom,” passed away on Wednesday morning, February 25, 2026, at UNC Lenoir Health Care in Kinston, North Carolina, at the age of 76.
Born on May 14, 1949, he was the son of the late Thomas Carol King, Sr. and Gracie Woodall King. Tom was a proud veteran of the United States Army. Following his military service, he and his wife co-founded Crown Screening, a screening and testing company where he served as President for over 30 years.
Tom was celebrated for his outgoing, laidback personality and his penchant for lighthearted jokes. He cherished time spent with family and friends, particularly when he could host a pig pickin' and take charge of the grill. His greatest joys included: spending time with his three granddaughters, family vacations to Myrtle Beach, fishing and boating, and cheering on the Duke Blue Devils.
A devoted man of faith, Tom was a longtime, active member of Eden Christian Church in Snow Hill, where he and his wife were fixtures of the congregation.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his only child, Thomas “Tommy” Carol King III.
His surviving family includes his beloved wife, Lola Kearney King; granddaughters, Camryn Michelle King, Lola Elizabeth King, and Lillian Charlotte King; a “daughter-in-love” and mother of his eldest grandchild, Amy Blair of Goldsboro; mother of his two younger grandchildren, Jacqueline Kannan of Goldsboro; sisters, Cathy King Hathcock of Graham, Benita Wessinger (Dave) of South Carolina, and Beth King Batten of Durham; sister-in-law, Rose Kearney Guevarra (John) of Snow Hill; special niece, Jennifer Guevarra (Curtis Hilliard) of Greenville; and special friends, Cecil and Paulette Sutton of Kinston.
Funeral Services will be held 2 PM Saturday, February 28th, at the Chapel of Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service with Pastor Jerry Pike officiating. Committal Services will immediately follow at the Mewborn Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Saturday in the hour prior to the service from 1:00 – 1:50 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to Eden Christian Church, c/o Jan Wright, 300 Rodell Barrow Road, Goldsboro, NC 27534.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylor-tyson.com
