Larry “Wayne” King, Sr.

Larry Wayne King, Sr. 86, of Beaumont, died Monday, February 21, 2022. He was born on April 22, 1935, in Tyler, in Smith County, to Ethel and C.L. King.

Wayne was raised in Livingston and graduated from Livingston High School in 1953. He attended Texas A&M in College Station; he was a proud Aggie! Wayne was a member of Texas A&M Club, recognized in 2017 as a Diamond Aggie, having achieved 60 years of service. Wayne went on to graduate from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services. He began his lifelong career in the funeral industry with Pace Funeral Home in Livingston. Wayne later moved to Beaumont working for Charles Kelley at Roberts and Pipkin- Brulin Funeral Home, later to become Kelly-Hixson Funeral Home, where he would later serve as President for the company. The consummate professional, he was active in the Texas Funeral Directors Association, and was past President of the Southeast Texas Chapter of the Texas Funeral Directors Association. Although retired for several years, he kept his license intact. One of his proudest accomplishments was receiving his 60-year lapel pin from the Texas Funeral Directors Association.

In his free time Wayne enjoyed boating, being a member of the United States Power Squadron since 1995. He also volunteered for the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center giving boat tours.

In 1957, Wayne married Emily Marsh King, from Leggett. Together they had two children, Larry Wayne King, Jr., and Karen Elizabeth King.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-four years, Emily Marsh King; son, Larry Wayne King, Jr.; daughter, Karen King Funchess and her husband, Tim; grandchildren, Tommy Funchess and his wife, Mandi; Katherine Funchess Hope; Brian King and his wife, Bethany; Johanna Funchess Harrison, and her husband, Nicholas; and Troy King; great-grandchildren, Ashton Funchess, Thomas Hope, Emily Funchess, Phoebe King, Molly Hope, Wyatt Funchess, Jonathan Hope, Elliot Harrison, Willa Funchess; and Conor Harrison; brothers, Charles Ray King and his wife, Sherolyn and Kenneth King; sisters, Oleta Newcomb and her husband, Bill, and Carol A. King; and numerous extended family and friends.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and C.L. King, and his infant sister, Elizabeth Anne.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 2111 West Park Avenue, Orange, Texas 77630

A gathering of Mr. King’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.  An additional gathering and light meal will begin at 12:00 noon, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in the fellowship hall of Bethel Baptist Church, 8815 Farm to Market Road 350 North, Livingston. His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Bethel Baptist Church, with his interment to follow at Bold Springs Cemetery, located immediately adjacent to the church. Serving as pallbearers are Tommy Funchess; Nicholas Harrison; Brian King; Chad King; Todd King; and Ashton Funchess; and honorary pallbearer, Jack Gotcher.