In loving memory of David King - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

It is with great sadness that our family reports the passing of the Honorable Dr. David Orr King. He died peacefully on June 10, 2019 in Lady Lake, FL surrounded by friends and family. He was born in Mercer, PA on February 24, 1938 to Dr. Thomas William King Sr. and Mary Orr King.
Dr. King graduated from Mercer High School in 1956, Grove City College in 1958, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry in 1962. He became a licensed dentist in Pennsylvania and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He did several tours of duty, notably as the dental officer aboard the USS Salisbury “SALLY” Sound. He was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Commander.
After his naval career, Dr. King graduated from the orthodontic program at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine in 1967. He then moved to Reno and practiced orthodontics. He was active in local charities and political organizations, among them the Reno Masonic Lodge (Scottish Rite).
In 1981, Dr. King moved his practice to Greenville, PA and served the public through higher office. Dr. King was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1990, serving the 17th District. He presided as the House Subcommittee Chairman on Aging and Youth. He was also a member of the House Committees on Health and Welfare; Health and Human Services; Military and Veterans Affairs; and Professional Licensure. Dr. King completed three terms in the House before retiring from public office in 1996.
Following his political career, Dr. King opened an orthodontic practice in Sharon, PA and Las Vegas, NV, serving both communities for many years. In his free time, Dr. King was an avid sportsman who enjoyed many memorable hunts with friends and family in Nevada and Pennsylvania. He was also the long-serving master of ceremonies for St. Paul’s Senior Living Community’s annual vaudeville show benefitting the elderly. Dr. King contributed to numerous charitable and professional causes throughout his lifetime.
Over the 50 years that Dr. King practiced, he was passionate about improving the lives of his patients. Before retiring, he saw patients in the Pittsburgh area, home to his favorite sports teams. He was known to celebrate a Pirates, Steelers or Pitt victory with a single malt scotch and a Cuban cigar.
Dr. King is survived by his wife, Judy Grabert King; sister, Barbara (King) Beatty; three sons, David Lundroth King (and his wife, Kimberly Taylor King), Ryan Thomas King, and Matthew Arthur King; and grandchildren, Cameron Axel King and Karly Taylor King. Dr. King was the seventh of eight siblings to include: Dr. Thomas William King Jr. and wife, Lois; Jean (King) Slifka and husband, Steven; Mary Lou (King) Hood and husband, Joe; Elizabeth Ann (King) Hennessy and husband, Fred; Patricia (King) Redfoot and husband, Dale; Dr. Richard James King and wife, Bette, and Barbara (King) Beatty, and husband, Bill. Donations may be sent to Shriners Hospital at 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505.