REMEMBERING MR. KING

On March 22, an Escambia County grand jury indicted Jordon Dominique King on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder of his grandparents Clay and Andrea King.

The grandson had been released from prison in November and arrested six days later for trespassing. He stayed in county jail until Feb. 15, when he pleaded no contest and the judge sentenced him to a year of probation—with the possibility of early termination after six months. When out of jail, he moved in with his grandparents.

A week later, family members asked law enforcement to do a wellness check on the retired couple. The deputies found them brutally murdered. Law enforcement captured Jordon King on foot, and he was arrested without incident.

this process," Brent wrote. "It will take a while to help sort everything for Mom and Dad, along with trips to North Carolina to visit with family for memorials during the wake of this tragedy. We have also decided that any money raised after expenses will be donated to education in their names."

Many students expressed their condolences on Facebook. Melissa Walls wrote, "I think I learned more in his advanced vocabulary class than any other. We used to love trying to stump him with words in the dictionary."

The arrest report revealed Andrea King applied for an involuntary examination of her grandson in December because he was "extremely paranoid," but she didn't feel he was a threat to her or her husband.

Clay King taught advanced placement AP English literature and composition and advanced vocabulary for 37 years, retiring in 2011. He was one of my daughters' favorite teachers. Andrea King was a special needs administrator for Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System and Escambia County School system, retiring not long after her husband did.

I found a Gulf Breeze News article about Clay's retirement. The English teacher loved ties and wore them at work. His collection grew to more than 400 ties, which he offered to sell for $5 apiece to his former students in the days leading up to his last day in the classroom. He used the $1,000 collected to launch a scholarship program for Gulf Breeze High's new National English Honor Society chapter, which was named in his honor.

When word of his death circulating among his former students, the sense of loss was profound. Many reached out to the family asking how they could help. Brent King, their son, set up a GoFundMe account.

"While we did not want to ask for help, there are many expenses and bills adding up during

LeAnna Sanders posted, "I have a lifelong love of words, thanks to my favorite teacher. I moved away from GB after high school, so I never thought my kids would have the same teacher. I moved back to care for my Mom and my daughter ended up at GBHS. She also loved Mr. King—she is a grammar native and English teacher now. How could he be so strict and demanding and inspiring, all wrapped up in one kind, wonderful man?"

"This is tragic. He was such a great person and wonderful teacher," said Robert Brooks. "I was one of the students that helped him get sup port for his Word Study II class. His effect on our vocabulary, that in turn affects every stage of our lives, is immeasurable."

"Mr. King was a phenomenal teacher. I loved being in his class," wrote Susannah Bell. "I have so many stories about things he taught me. Most of all, he made me feel safe in a fearsome time of my life. Godspeed Mr. King, Class of 85."

Amy Spencer-Bilrey posted, "He was one reason I became a teacher and, ultimately, a lawyer. He met us where we were. He valued who we were. His memory is a blessing to all of us who were fortunate to know him."

"I graduated in 1984 and had Mr. King for advanced vocabulary and loved his class," Robert Traylor said. "He was in the Navy before and helped me decide to go in the Navy also."

To donate to the Clay and Andrea King Fund, visit gofund.me/427da7ae.

{in} rick@inweekly.net