HAMPSTEAD — Leslie Allen King, 79, of Hampstead NC passed away on Saturday June 24, 2023.
He was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of Charles and Doris (née Collins) King. He grew up in Sharon until joining the Navy in 1962 where he served as a communications technician at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida. Education was one of Les’ greatest values. Following his military service in 1966, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Physics Education and a Masters degree in Education from Pennsylvania State University; and continued to complete a Doctorate in Education Administration from Lehigh University. Les dedicated his career to making a difference to young people, as a physics teacher, planetarium director, school principal and later as a college educator.
Throughout his life Les enjoyed community service. As a teenager he served as a counselor for a conservation youth camp; and in retirement, he volunteered many hours with the Surf City NC Kiwanis club and Hampstead NC Rotary. As Kiwanis governor for the Carolinas (2016 – 2017) his impact on young lives was beyond measure. He traveled often with his wife Connie, taking RV trips in the US and sharing adventures to Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Astronomy was his absolute passion and he found great joy in teaching others about our fascinating universe.
He loved his family and community and chatted warmly with everyone he met. It was his personal mission to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Les spent summers at his beach home on Topsail Island, where he enjoyed photography, setting up his telescope, and spending time with friends and family.
Les was predeceased by his mother, father, sister Gertrude Amelia, sister-in-law Margaret, and eldest brother Charles who died in the Korean War. He is survived by his wife Connie Sue (née Lowder) King, Hampstead, North Carolina; brother Gerald King, Hermitage, Pennsylvania; sister Marilyn (Donald) German, Kentfield, California, brother-in-law Gary (Kathy) Lowder, Signal Mountain, Tennessee; his son Christopher King and his wife Cynthia (née Carlson) King of Quakertown, Pennsylvania; and three grandchildren; Elizabeth (Thomas), Riverside, California; Katie, New York, New York; and John, Rochester, New York.
There will be a celebration of life service on Monday, July 24, 10:00 AM at Emma Anderson Chapel, Topsail Beach, NC. There will be a reception immediately following the service, at the Assembly Building, 720 Channel Blvd, Topsail Beach, NC 28445
Donations can be made to Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island, PO Box 2352 Surf City, NC. 28445, or to an organization of your choice.
