Robert S. King

A beloved husband, father, brother, pastor and friend Robert S. King, Jr., went home to be with the Lord on August 9, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. A celebration of his life will be held at Lafayette First Assembly Church, 3555 Verot School Road, Youngsville, LA on Saturday August 14, 2010 at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be Friday at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette, 1011 Bertrand Drive, from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm and will continue on Saturday morning at First Assembly Church from 10:00 am until service time. Rev. Tommy Faulk, pastor of Lafayette First Assembly of God Church will officiate. Rev. Doug Fulenwider, District Superintendent of the Louisiana Assemblies of God, Rev. Loyd Singley, Executive Presbyter of the Louisiana Assemblies of God and Rev. Bruce Headley, prior pastor of Lafayette First Assembly, will assist. A Lafayette resident for some 58 years, Pastor King was born in El Paso, TX on September 29, 1918 to Robert S. King, Sr. and Ruth King. He graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Houston, TX in 1936. He attended Louisiana College in Pineville, LA, and the University of Houston. In 1941, Pastor King married his sweetheart and lifelong love, Lily Irene King. Together they had three children whom he often spoke about with great pride'...his Ruthie, Bobby, and Rachel. With abounding patriotism, Pastor King served in World War II from September 1943 until February 1946 aboard the submarine tender USS Proteus in the Pacific theatre where he was the Captain's writer, maintaining the ship's registry and preparing the paperwork necessary for the ship's operation. During his tour of duty, Pastor King received word that one of his children was stricken with life-threatening polio. He prayed that if God would heal his child, he would give his entire life for the Lord's service. Pastor King's prayer was answered. Not only did he bear witness to his child's healing but, from the deck of his ship, he was also a witness to the signing of the U.S.'s peace treaty with Japan that brought an end to WW II. Upon his return from duty, Pastor King honored his commitment to the Lord. He served as associate pastor of the Assembly of God church in Brenham, TX and Chaplain for the Tuberculosis Hospital in Pineville, LA. He then served a dual pastorate for Assembly of God churches in Bentley and Alexandria, LA. His eyes twinkled as he often laughed about those early days when he was paid in eggs and chickens for his service to the church. The Lord inspired Pastor King to move his family to Lafayette in 1952, where he founded what would become First Assembly of God Church (now known as Lafayette First Assembly), the first Pentecostal church in Acadiana. This early church began in the Kings' home on Brookside Drive and expanded to tent meetings on the corner of Arthur and Irene Streets where the original First Assembly of God church was constructed. Believing in the importance of prayer, Pastor King started a daily prayer meeting at 6:00 am that continues in the city today. Great miracles have been recorded and lives changed from those meetings. The growing church moved to 605 S. College Rd in 1960 where he founded Assembly Christian School, developing it into a K-12 School. Pastor King co-founded and served on the Board of Directors of 232-HELP, the Daily Advertiser Milk Fund, The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and the Lafayette Ministerial Association. He was also a recipient of the Bishop's Award given by the Diocese of Lafayette. He was instrumental in starting numerous Assembly of God churches around Louisiana, serving as Presbyter over several of these churches. Pastor King was loved by so many people and reached many souls for Christ during his six decades of ministry. He married couples, dedicated babies, and gave cookies to the children after services. Pastor King was always there to lend a helping hand to families in need by giving them food, transportation, encouragement, or spiritual advice at any time during the day or night. Pastor King's philosophy was to love people to Christ's salvation. He extended that message of hope and love to people throughout Acadiana in his daily morning broadcast on KAJN radio, which he helped to found. One ministry that was dear to his heart was visiting the sick in hospitals, including the five major healthcare facilities in Lafayette, which he continued into his eighties. Pastor King retired in 1994, but continued to serve as Pastor Emeritus. In 2008, Pastor and Mrs. King moved to Lexington, KY to be near their youngest daughter, Rachel. She has taken great care to return him to the city and the people that he loved so dearly. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lily Irene King; three children: Ruth Conner and her husband Michael of Mesquite, TX; Robert W. King, Sr. and his wife Linda of Kemp, TX; Rachel King and her companion, Gloria Hansen of Lexington, KY; 4 grandchildren: Melaynee DeVore; LaDonna DeVore; Tiffany King and her husband, Michael; and Robert W. King, Jr., and his wife, Elizabeth; 5 great grandchildren: Robert King, Jessica King, Nevada King, Sierra King and Montana King; 1 niece, Marilyn Jordan; and 2 nephews, Gary Francis and David Francis. Pastor King was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Benny King, and two sisters, Ruth Francis and Ervia Roccaforte. Pallbearers will be Robert W. King, Sr., Michael Conner, Bobby Cobb, Melvin O'Dell, Ralph Peters, Ronnie Rue, Barry Thompson, and Chris Van Way. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerrell Boudoin, Crystal Calder, Martha Goff, Lynda O'Dell, Rev. Paul Radke, Fred Rhodes, Sharon Rue, and J. P. Van Way. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lafayette First Assembly or the Alzheimer's Association. Personal condolences may be sent to the King family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of all funeral arrangements.

Robert S. King

September 29, 1918 - August 9, 2010