Lt. Cmdr. John E. King, age 87, of Midland, Virginia, died on December 6, 2011 at Fauquier Hospital. He was born on June 25, 1924 in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Parker Gardner and Janet DeWalt King. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Virginia and his sisters Audrey and Caroline.

John entered the Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served for twenty years as a Naval aviator. He flew a variety of aircraft from the Boeing Stearman in flight school to carrier operations in the Grumman Hellcat, Bearcat and others. He also was one of the few pilots that flew the Martin Mars Flying Boat carrying troops and supplies from the US mainland to Hawaii. Later in his career, he flew transport aircraft for the Navy and flew Navy and government officials to locations around the world.

After retiring from the Navy in 1963, John tried his hand at the real estate business, but soon jumped at the chance to join United Airlines as a flight instructor. Four years later, he became a line pilot flying with many of the pilots he had previously trained. During his twenty years with United, John occasionally had the opportunity to fly with his son, John D., who joined United as a pilot in 1969. John and his son flew his retirement flight together with his wife, Doris, on board.

In 1971, John joined the Flying Circus Airshow in Bealeton, Virginia, where he flew his restored WACO UPF 7 and various other antique aircraft every Sunday from May to October for forty years. He, along with his wife, Doris, worked in various capacities contributing to the success of the airshow. Over the years, John ran King Aviation providing sight-seeing rides in the antique airplanes along with a banner towing business. He was a supporter of local businesses, community events and regional politics.

In 1976, John and Doris moved to a farm where he built a grass airstrip and hangars and enjoyed restoring vintage airplanes, cars, and tractors. John’s greatest joy came from time spent with his family several of whom built homes on the farm. With ten of his twelve grandchildren growing up on the property, large family gatherings were common. John’s love of aviation has inspired two sons and three grandsons to become pilots with several great-grandchildren certain to follow the same path.

John is survived by his brother, Park DeWalt and wife Eva of Orlando, FL and his four children, John D. and his wife Nize of Midland, VA, Susan Slaubaugh and husband Gene of Adelphi, MD, Mary Jo Rogalla and husband Dr. Charles Rogalla of Scranton, PA, and Ronald E. King and wife Diane of Midland, VA. He leaves twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Moser Funeral Home, Warrenton, VA on Friday, December 16 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held at Grace Life Community Center, 9560 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA at 10 am Saturday, December 17. Internment will be 10 am on Monday, December 19 at Culpeper National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fauquier Hospital Infusion Center 500 Hospital Dr. Warrenton, VA 20186, Fresta Valley Christian School 6428 Wilson Rd. Marshall VA 20115 or Midland Christian Academy 10456 Old Carolina Rd. Midland, VA 22728.