John Paul "JPK" King

Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | May 24, 2024

John Paul "JPK" King of Elizabeth Township passed into the next life on May 23, 2024. He was born at McKeesport Hospital during the “Great Thanksgiving Blizzard” on November 26, 1950. John was the son of Earl Edward and Mary Jane (Hankins) King. John was a 1970 graduate of Penn State earning his associate in engineering degree in Drafting and Design Technology. After graduation, he worked in construction, and as a construction supervisor, for over forty years. He took great pride in his work - and it showed. Many of his works, built even in the early days of his career, still stand strong to this day. John loved classic cars. (John and his beloved daughter, Cora, worked together on these.) He loved hunting and fishing with his friends and family. John was recognized in the mid-1980s for harvesting a beautiful albino deer that appeared in the McKeesport Daily News with a
photograph of John and his trophy. John’s camp in McKean County, built by hand from the ground up, was a place that he loved to go to. There he mentored the son that he never had, Chris Rutherford of White Oak, in the ways of fishing, hunting and life. The camp is enjoyed by many to this day. 

John is survived by his daughter, Cora Jean Panian (Chris) of Butler, grandchildren Lucy and Joey Panian, also of Butler. In addition, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins survive him. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Marcy Lynn (Burd) King who passed away August 20, 2021. His daughter, Sara Burd King; his brothers Terry Earl King and Mark David King; in-laws, Jack and Shirley Burd. Chris and Cora would like to especially thank Tracey Selembo of White Oak for all her guidance, patience and love while caring for John. Freinds are welcome Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 10 am to 12 noon at the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.  6028 Smithfield Street, Boston. (412) 751-5000 Drew J. Gilbert, director. Funeral service will be held at noon following visitation. Interment will follow at Mount Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in John’s name to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (themmrf.org). Condolences may be made at gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com

Originally published May 24, 2024.

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