Luther David King

Rev. David King went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 15, 2024 surrounded by those that loved him most in the world.  David was born November 15, 1943 in Graham, NC, the 5th child to Luther M. King and Pearl Johnson King.  David was married to his wife of 60 years, Frances (Fran) Reed King.  David and Fran met at church on June 5, 1959 at the age of 14 and 15 and set out on a journey.

David grew up in Burlington.  After finishing school, he went to work to train as a machinist at Alamance Machine Shop.  He eventually became a tool and model maker.  In the 70’s God blessed him with a job at IBM where he worked for 22 years before retiring in 1994.  During his career he held several positions with his last position being Dock Master.  He received many awards for his work ability and was on the IBM Emergency Medical Team. When he was asked what he did for a hobby, he would say, “I work.” He was a workaholic and at times worked 3 jobs.

David accepted Christ as his Savior on March 6, 1977 and accepted the call into the ministry in 1979.  He was a bi-vocational pastor for 17 years before retiring from IBM and becoming a full-time pastor.  He pastored 5 churches during his ministry with the last church being Bible Baptist Tabernacle.  He attended Piedmont Bible College and Greensboro Bible College.  He also took courses from Liberty Bible Institute.  His greatest goal was to love the people that he pastored.  He was led by God to go to churches that had low attendance and strapped for money.  He had the ability by following the Lord’s leadership to build the attendance up and to bring in money for the Lord’s work.  He was not interested in how much money he made as a pastor but how many lives he touched and how many souls he won to the Lord.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Durham Rescue Mission. After retiring from the ministry, he joined Bethel Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday-school teacher, visitation pastor, and usher.

David’s greatest treasure was his family.  He is survived by his wife, a daughter Donna L. King, a granddaughter Kaitlyn M. Mangum and husband David, many niece’s and nephews. He loved to travel and went to a lot of places in the states. His greatest trip was to Israel.  He was preceded in death by infant son(Jeffrey David), his parents, 2 sisters Janet King Hughes and June King Cooley, 2 brothers Charles King and Billy King.  He is survived by 2 brothers Clyde King and Doug King(Pat).

David was a self-taught but excellent carpenter.  He was an accomplished business man in the rental business as well. He loved people and was a friendly, out-going person who made many friends along the way.

He will be greatly missed but he is with his Lord and Savior for eternity.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask donations be made to Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund.