Gerard T. King Sr., 77, of Belleview, Florida, died in Ocala, Florida on Monday, March 4, 2024 after a prolonged illness.
He was born in Portland, Maine in 1946 to Robert Ernest King, Sr., and Elva Elaine King, and he was the eldest of their four children. When Gerard was eight years old, the family moved to Crystal River, Florida for several months before moving to Ocala, where the family settled permanently. After graduating from Ocala High School in 1964, Gerard joined the United States Army where he would successfully complete Airborne Jump School and become a Parachute Rigger with the 82nd Airborne Division. This assignment would lead to the first of two tours in Vietnam, two US Army enlistments, and the beginning of a prestigious career in law enforcement. He was a dedicated non-commissioned officer (E6) and became one of the best “Criminal Investigator Detectives” (CID) in the Army, at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, solving many hardline cases.
Gerard also worked for the Ocala Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department as a Captain under Sheriff Don Moreland, and for the State Attorney’s Office as the Chief Investigator under Ray Gill. Many law-enforcement students were trained in classes at the academy by Gerard for many years as he was an excellent teacher (Law-Enforcement Professor) and leader. Gerard held two Associate of Science degrees in Law Enforcement and Corrections, two Bachelor’s degrees in Law Enforcement and Public Administration, and a Master’s degree in Law Enforcement.
The Bible says that all good things and human life will come to an end. Gerard has now joined ranks in heaven with his “Band of Brothers” from the military, and those from his “Law-Enforcement” days. He is now with his mom, dad, and other relatives that have already joined hands with Jesus Christ, along with members of his Church family that have passed on. Gerard was a hero to his family. We loved him, we prayed for him, and we will miss him. Gerard was a Christian, and now, Gerard has joined hands with his guardian angels and has been escorted into the palace of the “King of Kings.”
Gerard was preceded in death by his father, Robert Ernest King, Sr. in 1974, and his mother, Elva Elaine King in 1995. Gerard is survived by Doris Tindall King, his wife of 33 years; Robert Ernest (Diane) King, Jr., half-brother; Robert (Linda) King, brother; Wayne (Lynda) King, brother; Jeanne (Lloyd) Henderson, sister; Michelle King, daughter; Gerard T. (Jennifer) King, Jr., son; Traci (Curtis) McClung, step-daughter; Aaron (Samantha) Symonds, step-son; Grandsons: Quay Neach, Cody King, Chase (Briana) King; Granddaughters: Emma Symonds, Madelyn Symonds, Piper McClung, Kiley McClung; and four great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024 at the Oxford Assembly of God Church with the Funeral Service directly following at 11:00.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memory of Gerard Thomas King, Sr.