Frederick Putnam King 96, departed this life Thursday, October 28, 2021 in the early morning hours at St John’s Hospital IMC unit surrounded by his family.
Fred was born in Springfield, Sangamon County, October 3, 1925 to Harry L and Rutha (Widdows) King. Springfield was always his home except for his years in the Navy during WW II. Fred served in the Navy from December 1942 until November 1946. He was assigned to the Navy Air Corp in Hawaii as a torpedo bomber and assisted in training nite flyers. He flew in the Grummen F and Martin TBM. He often joked that he was one of those sailors that was never assigned to a ship. He met his wife to be, Romayne Stogran in Chicago while he was stationed at Navy Pier in 1942. After his discharge in 1946, he rode a Harley Davidson 45 motorcycle from California to Chicago.
Fred and Romayne were married December 21, 1946 in Chicago and returned to Springfield. Fred worked as a Superintendent in heavy construction for Sangamo, Chisim and Miller, Turcaw and Broughton construction companies until his retirement. Fred was a man that could do most anything and was generous with his skills and time helping family and friends. He was an avid water sportsman building his own ski boat and being a charter member of the Springfield Ski and Boat Club. Summers were spent on Lake Springfield with his family and friends. He also was a die-hard Bears fan. One of Fred’s most memorable life events was his trip to Washington, DC with his grandson as his guardian on the Honor Flight.
Fred was predeceased by his wife in 2014 after 68 years of marriage. His parents, 3 sisters, Francis Kilway, Irene Defenbaugh and Prima Daniels along with 5 brothers, Earl, John, George, Forrest, and Harry King also preceded him in death.
Fred is survived by his children; Linda (James) Fulgenzi, Kenneth (fiancée Laura Lush) King and Romayne (John) Rolando. Grandchildren: Jim (Jamie Williams) Fulgenzi, Danielle (Nick) Giacomini, Brianna (Jordan) Lair, Brittany (Jeff) Anderson, Heather (Mark) Morrell, Nicole Horner (Joe), and Sara Rolando. Great-grandchildren: Isabella, Nico, Nadia, Giuliana, Cecilia, Maria, Alexandra, Ruby, Isabelle, Kendall, Mark Jr, Mason, Terrance, Army PFC Wardlow, Z, and Army PFC McIntosh, V with a great-grand daughter and a great-great-grand daughter due in early 2022. Two brothers Dennis and Gene King along with many nieces and nephews also survive.
The family extends a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the nurses in the IMC unit for their compassion during our brief stay at the hospital.
Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Friday November 5, 2021 at Ellinger-Kunz & Park, 530 N. 5th St., Springfield, IL 62702. Interment will be private in the columbarium at Camp Butler National Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Memorials may be made to ‘The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight’ 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703.
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