George F. King, 55, beloved husband and father, perished in a plane crash January 8, 2022.
George is preceded in death by his parents, George W. and Betty (Rinder) King.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Diane (Behnke) King; sons George T., William and Joshua King; brother Edward (Cindy) Lewis; sister-in-law Nora Lewis; brothers-in-law Gary (Colleen), Greg (Brenda), Ron (Libby), and Randy (Teresa) Behnke; many nieces and nephews and countless friends.
George's love of flying came second only to his devotion to his family and service to his country and community. Born in Columbus, Ohio and a graduate of Ohio Dominican University, George earned his private pilot license at the age of 16. He served meritoriously in the U.S. Marine Corps followed by a full career with the Ohio State Highway Patrol retiring from its aviation division in 2019. Continuing to follow his flying aspirations he began his second career with AirNet II just two months prior to his passing.
George had a positive impact on all who he met. He served as commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Columbus Squadron mentoring youth for many years. He was active in his community helping to form a block watch program, and was a long-time member of The Navy League, Mid-Ohio NAVHDA and St. Luke Lutheran Church.
George was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing and scuba diving with his sons. He absolutely adored his dogs Artie and Aster from the first and last litter of his recently founded Bogtrotters Kennel.
A true family man, George put his family first in all circumstances. He married his high school sweetheart and always made time for the things that truly counted to him in this world – his wife and sons. He would speak of his sons' accomplishments to anyone willing to listen and would have relished in watching his youngest son grow to be a man.
George's code was "God, Family, Country". May George's quiet strength, and the honorable life he lived, serve as inspiration to those who had the privilege to know him.
Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 on Friday, January 28, at Newcomer Northeast Chapel, 3047 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus.
Memorial service and sharing of memories will be held 10:30am on Saturday, January 29, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 4456 Morse Road, Columbus.
The service will be live-streamed at https://www.stlukecolumbus.com/ "watch live".
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