Norma and Rex King's Obituary
Norma G. King of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away December 10, 2022, at the age of 89. She was born on September 19, 1933, in Newbern, Tennessee, where she grew up with her parents CM and Tommie Greer, sister Donna, and brothers Charles Mack and Byron.
She graduated from Tech High in Memphis, Tennessee, and received a certification in optometry, serving at one practice for 25 years. She worked first and foremost as a wife and mother; she also served as a church secretary, office manager for a marriage, family and child counseling group, and an office manager for an optometrist. She and her husband Rex were actively involved in Young Life, Presbyterian Church, and painting and growing flowers. Norma was a sister of P.E.O. for 50 years. PEO is a philanthropic educational organization focused on helping young women finish their education.
Norma is preceded in death by her parents, CM and Tommie Greer, sister Donna Feezor, and brother Byron Greer. Rex T. King of Jacksonville, FL, passed away on April 22, 2024, at the age of 93. He was born Sept. 29, 1930, in Memphis, Tenn., where he grew up, to Rex Thomas King Sr. and Dortha Hart King. Dortha remarried when Rex was 3 years old, and he was raised by Harold Balton Sr. and Dortha. Some very valuable childhood days were spent in the home of his grandparents Charles and Bertha Hart. They taught him compassion and empathy for others and made a major imprint on his life.
Before completing high school and college, Rex served our country in the Marine Corps and received his honorable discharge in 1949, after serving at NAS JAX. After returning to Memphis from the Marines, Rex finished high school and married his high school sweetheart Norma L. Greer on August 2, 1951.
He was preceded in death by Norma on December 10, 2022. He attended Memphis State University from 1953 to 1957; the Young Life Institute from 1958 to 1959; and Columbia Theological Seminary from 1966 to 1969. After Columbia, he became the youth minister at Grandview Presbyterian Church in Glendale, CA. In 1971, Rex was invited to be Associate Director to Glendale Outreach. He taught and counseled teens and young adults about drug abuse. From 1971 - 1973, Rex was supervised under Dr. Paul Fairweather. He became a clinical therapist in 1976 at Fairweather/Bade and Associates in Glendale, CA. Rex went back to school at the age of 60 and received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 1986. He continued counseling in Private Practice in Laguna Niguel, CA., starting in 1989. He was Chaplain and In-patient Chemical Dependency Counselor and Programs Director at Laguna Hills Hospital.
He continued his journey of helping others even after moving back to his hometown of Memphis, until his retirement in 2007. Rex and Norma spent 10 years retired on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee. Many fond memories were made there with their children and grandchildren. They moved to Jacksonville 2017 where three of their daughters lived at the time. They were married for 71 years. They were actively involved in Geneva Presbyterian Church, St. Johns, FL. Rex and Norma moved to Harbor Chase in 2021, where the care they received was exemplary.
The family would like to thank Harbor Chase of Mandarin for the care and compassion they showed Rex and Norma in their final days. The staff and care provided to Rex and Norma was beyond expectations. Thank you Sierra, Nurse Kendra, Crystal, Megan, Sira, Gaby and her mom, Cynthia, Regina, Carmen in housekeeping, Christina, Lonnie Moody, Lonnie Watts, Nurse Linda on the 3rd fl., the other Nurse Linda, Sharon in housekeeping, Marla, Renee in the salon & Chef Kerry, P.T. and O.T. and I know there are others. These are just the everyday personnel that kept Rex and Norma safe and showed them care and concern. Together forever.
Rex & Norma are survived by her brother Mack Greer, their children Karen King Willett (Mark Willett), Kevan G. King (Gina King), Kristy A. King (Robert Walker), and Keeley King Russell (Greg Russell), their grandchildren Cara Willett Goni, Ethan Charles Willett, Lindsey King, Hailee King Eaton, Larson King, Savanah Britton, Cassie Sappington, Mark Liam Sappington and Alli Russell. They also leave behind six great grandchildren, and their dog Sparky.
Rex always had a passion for helping youth & ministering to them. He shared his relationship with Christ and how this relationship guided his journey throughout his life. Rex had a way about him; young people listened and trusted him by offering them a pathway for their journey into life. Rex loved to make people laugh and had a great sense of humor. His favorite expression -- “Did you miss me?” He was a wonderful neighbor, friend, husband, father, and grandfather, simply a delightful human being; he will be sorely missed.
Family will be holding a private service, Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Rex & Norma King’s honor to Geneva Presbyterian Church. The address to donate is: 1820 SR 13, Ste.11 PMB 24, St. Johns, FL 32259.
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