Ernest King, Sr.

Ernest Victor King Vic, 91, of Burlington, NC died Sept 14, 2012 at the Hospice Home in Burlington. Services will be held Thursday September 20, 2012 at 2:00pm at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel, 2205 South Church Street, Burlington, N.C. 27215 Born in 1920 to parents Eston Clay King and Nettie Durham King of Graham, NC, Vic attended NC State University and the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. During World War II, he served in the Navy as a fighter pilot in the Pacific arena and was awarded the Silver Star for bravery. As a pilot, he was once brash enough to fly an inverted loop under and over a Detroit River bridge. Over his career, he worked for GE, Boeing Aircraft, and Burlington Engineering, and later earned a Professional Engineering license from the state of NC. He loved to play and watch golf. He is survived by son Ernest "Butch" King Jr and his wife Carol; son Larry King and his wife Susan; granddaughter Monica King; grandson Paul King and his wife Carrie; great grandchildren Paul Jr and Kyle. He is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Ruth Schilawske King; son Kenneth King; brother Eston Clay King Jr; and sister Hazel King Elder. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Hospice & Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd, Burlington, NC 27215. hospiceac.org