Irvin Everett King, 94, of Hendersonville, TN, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at Hendersonville Medical Center.
Irvin was born on March 23, 1921, in Todd County, KY to the late William Everett King and Willie Texas Bowler King. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Martha Helen Batts King; two brothers, John King and Paul King; and five sisters, Frances King, Agnes King, Anna Lee King, Evelyn King Paisley, and Bessie King Trotter.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. at the Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Chapel with Dr. John David Laida officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2015, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a masonic service to follow and Friday, September 18, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.
Irvin was offered a minor league pitching contract with the Detroit Tigers at age 16. He declined the contract, but had a lifelong love of baseball. The Tigers gave him an honorary player contract to fulfill his dream. He retired from Ft. Campbell as a heavy locomotive mechanic. He was a deacon for many years at New Providence Baptist Church and current member of First Baptist Church of Clarksville. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #89 and was issued a special award after 50 years of membership.
Irvin is survived by his son, Joseph King (Carolyn) of Hendersonville, TN; daughter, Mary Kaye Hurst (Steven) of Fayetteville, TN; two grandchildren, Nathan Hurst (Telisa) of Huntsville, AL and Timothy Hurst (Samantha) of Hanover, MD; and two great-grandchildren, Ethan Hurst and Hunter Hurst.
Pallbearers will be Anthony Trotter, Roger Crow, Sr., Roger Crow, Jr., Nathan Hurst, Timothy Hurst, David Trotter, and Jack Paisley, Jr.