Wayne F. King, 76, of Mt. Sterling, Ohio passed away Friday, September 18, 2026, at home, with his family beside him.
He was born on January 10, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio, to Harold Oliver and Freida Mae Fultz King. He was a 1968 graduate of Miami Trace High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from The Ohio State University in 1972. He was one of the five outstanding seniors in the College of Agriculture in 1972. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and served as president in 1971-1972.
His career began at London Truck and Tractor. He was associated with Doug Marine Motors for over twenty years. From 1979-1989, he was a member and officer of the board of directors of Producers Livestock Association. He was an active member of the Bloomingburg Lodge F. & A.M. #449 where he had served as treasurer since 1994, and organized and presented the annual Memorial Day service at the Bloomingburg Cemetery. He was a member of Washington Lodge #129 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks in Washington Court House. He grew up in the Madison Mills Methodist Church and had been attending Crossroads Christian Church in Washington Court House.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lee and Jane Rowe and brother-in-law, R.C. Bonzo
He is survived by his wife, the former Emily Jane Rowe, whom he married March 23, 1974; a son, Kyle King, and his wife, Beth, and granddaughters, Alexandra and Lauralynne King; a daughter, Lesley Fry and her husband, Scott, and granddaughters Isabella, Emily, and Adalyn Fry; a sister, Anne Bonzo; nephews, Joe (Brenda) Bonzo and Pete (Emily) Bonzo; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jo and Tony Anderson; niece, Nicole (Matt) Esker and nephew, Tyler (Megan) Anderson; a maternal aunt, Mary E. (Ron) Brownlee survives and his “best” friend, Bruce Allen.
The funeral will be Friday, September 25, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Christian Church, with Adam Lynch, pastor at the church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Madison Mills Cemetery.
Visitation will be observed Thursday from 3-7 p.m. at the Crossroads Christian Church, with a Masonic service and Elks service immediately following the visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bloomingburg Lodge F. & A.M. #449, c/o David Krupla, 18 East High Street, Jeffersonville, Ohio 43128.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.
www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com
