On November 8, 1957, the late Ruben King and Novella Wright King’s lives were forever changed at Evans Memorial Hospital with the birth of their fourth of twelve children, RUBEN RONALD KING, JR. From the moment he was brought from the hospital, the King’s home nor the world was ever the same. Many knew him as Ruben, but most called him “Kang.”
Just as the atmosphere shifted from his entrance into the world, it also shifted at his departure. On October 14, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, Kang answered the Lord’s call to trade his earthly home for his heavenly reward.
Kang graduated from Glennville High School in 1975. Following high school, he was the first black lineman to be employed by the local Georgia Power Company. After blessing Georgia Power for five years, he transitioned to the eventual place of his retirement, Ft. Stewart Military Installation. For thirty-eight years and nine months, Kang worked there as an electrician. He worked in the DPW-O and M Division as a quality assurance evaluator and retired on June 1, 2020. He enjoyed working at Ft. Stewart, but being former owner of King Brothers Funeral Home was his second heartbeat. He worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this heartfelt business that his parents built from the ground up.
Growing up, Kang attended Smith Street Church of God, under the leadership of Pastor J. W. Overstreet. On December 8, 2007, Kang accepted Christ as his personal Savior under the leadership of Reverend Tony Harden at Center of Life Church of God. Serving at Center of Life was his third heartbeat. He served as chairman deacon, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, chairman of the trustee board, maintenance supervisor, sound technician and treasurer. Shortly before his passing, he was ordained as an elder.
On February 5, 2004, Kang married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Annette Davis; through this union, nine children were instantaneously created. Kang’s fourth heartbeat was being a good husband and a provider for his family.
At the time of his death, he was vice president of the Committee of Social Change. He was first vice president of the local NAACP and treasurer of the Emancipation Proclamation Committee. No matter the atmosphere, if Kang was present, there was going to be laughter, trash talking, and even small debates. He is truly going to be missed by all. Kang was preceded in death by: his father, Ruben King, Sr.; brothers, Richard “Big John”, “Tic” King, and Don King; brother-in-law, John C. Williams, Jr.; and bonus grandson, Deshawn Davis. He leaves to cherish his memories: a faithful wife of eighteen years, Shirley Annette King; sons, Christopher Hardee and Robert (Carol) King; daughters, Tawanna (Lee) Williams and Shawana (Eric) Moore; mother, Novella King; six bonus children, Antwan Monroe, Christopher Davis, Monica (Lamar) Smith, Crystal Davis, Christina Davis and Ladarrius Phillips; grandchildren, Tamarick, Tahmani, Tashayla, Christopher, TaNiya, TaLeiyah, Tamauri, Tavontae, Tahji and Eric, Jr.; bonus grandkids, Dejanae, Tyqwan, Debria, Quasean, Za’Mya, Jaquavious, Cameron, Josiah, Dusti Jr., AhZayla, ZyKerriah, Kentaevious, Zakhi and Ladarrius Phillips, Jr.; bonus great grand, Ace; siblings, Robbie (LeAnn) King, Randy (Sharon) King, Verdie Williams, Randall L. (Mary) King, Sr., Reba (Ishmael) Feliciano, Reginald (Twila) King, Rex (Cheryl) King, Fronita (Marcus) Holston and Russell (Kellie) King, Sr.; uncle, Laverne (June) Wright, Sr.; father-in-law, Jerry Calhoun; sisters-in-law, Linda (Dale) Thomas, Lois, Jettie Mae and Sonnie Calhoun, Cheryl Manning and Lillian (Willie) Walker; brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Pam) Davis, Aubrey (Tammie) Davis, Terry (Cynthia) Calhoun, Gregory Davis and Larry Calhoun; special caregiver, Charles Coleman; special niece, Rikki (John) Smith; special nephew, Randall “Loset” King, Jr.; and a host of other dear relatives and friends.
