Oscar Eugene King

Oscar Eugene King, 99, of Pomona, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Rock Creek of Ottawa, Ottawa, Kansas.

Services will be held 10:00am, Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa.

Family will greet friends 5:30-7:30pm, Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the funeral home.

Interment Dean Cemetery, Pomona, Kansas.

Oscar was born March 12, 1925, in Topeka, Kansas. He was one of thirteen children born to Oscar Davis and Cassie Lou (Martin) King.

In the 1930s, he lived with his family on a farm in Coffey County, Kansas, and later a farm north of Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas. In 1942, he worked for H W Brewer near Waverly, Kansas.

Oscar entered the Navy on May 5, 1943. Four of his brothers also served in the Navy. Oscar underwent basic training at the US Naval Training Station in Banbridge, MD. He served abroad the USS Pennewill DE-175, USS Estes AGC-12, and USS Bronx APA-236, at the rank of Motor Machinist Mate 3rd class. His service earned him the Victory medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with two battle stars, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal. Oscar was discharged on April 10, 1946.

After leaving the Navy, he lived for a brief time in Topeka, Kansas, before moving to Franklin County, Kansas, where he met his wife to be, Violet McEathron. Oscar and Violet were married June 17, 1956, in Scott City, Kansas.

Oscar and Violet began their 66 ½ years together on a farm in Ritcher, before moving to Appanoose in 1965. They lived on the farm until Violet passed away on January 3, 2023. Oscar then lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Jerry Engel, for almost a year, before moving to Rock Creek in Ottawa, Kansas, on December 8, 2023.

He farmed and worked as an auto mechanic in Ottawa, Kansas, and later as a carpenter building houses and hog barns in Franklin County. In the late 1960s, he went to work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Pomona as a carpenter and Wastewater Treatment Operator. Oscar worked there until his retirement, after which he continued to farm until he turned ninety. While he held other jobs, for much of his working years, Oscar’s true love was raising cattle.

Oscar was a member of the Appanoose Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon for many years. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 5901 of Ottawa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his siblings and their spouses Lee King (Ann), Franklin, Chester, Elmer King (Clara), Murel Wyatt (Kiah), Harold King (Elise), Martin, an unknown infant, Doris King, Alvin King (Mattie), Juanita Greenquist (Russell), and Bob King (Leta); and several nieces and nephews.

Survivors include his children Betty Nordeng (Steve) of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Bonnie Nitcher (Lee), Barbara Engel (Jerry) both of Pomona, Kansas, Brenda Coffman of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren Stephan Nordeng (Kellie), Ian Nordeng (Kaitlin), Stephanie Anderson (Caleb), Kyle Nitcher, Matthew Engel, Lauren Lewis (Jeffery), David Coffman (Bree), and Ashley Powell (Travis); fifteen great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Appanoose Baptist Church or VFW 5901 c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.