Elwin Theodore King, 85, died Sunday, March 20, 2011, at Nathan Adelson Hospice in
Las Vegas
,
NV
. Ted was born August 16, 1925, the son of Elwin Wesley and Bertha (Alexander) King in
Concordia
KS
. Ted grew up in Concordia and enlisted in the Navy at age 17. While in the Navy the word came the Marines needed volunteers. True to his nature he volunteered and served as a medic in the Third Marine Division through several landings in the South Pacific, most notably in the third wave at
Guam
. He was recently contacted by a fellow marine whose life he saved on that beach. In 1945 he returned to the Navy and served in
San Francisco
and
Washington
DC
. He turned down an invitation to tea with Eleanor Roosevelt because he didn't like the lady, again being true to his nature. Ted was united in marriage to Bonnie Irene Robbins Oct 31, 1949. He worked as a timekeeper on the railroad and at the Navy Ammunition Depot in
Hastings
,
NE
before joining the
Veterans
Administrative
Hospital
in
Grand Island
,
NE.
He retired from the hospital in 1980. After retirement he served as primary caretaker for Bonnie as her health gradually declined. He also worked providing independent trip leasing services to over-the-road truckers, chauffeuring a limousine and transporting rental cars. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, spending time with family and friends and was always up for a road trip. He was a member of American Legion, Eagles, Izaak Walton League and Third Marine Division Association. Ted experienced the loss of his wife Bonnie on August 10, 1996. He was also preceded in death by his parents, sisters Betty and Leora, brother Robert,son Wayne, and grandson Teddy. Those left to cherish his memory include his children and their spouses; Jim and Pam King of
Columbia
SC
, Tim King and fiancee Kelly Gray of
Las Vegas
NV
, brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Merridy King of
Concordia
KS
, seven grandchildren, five step grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Ted King's service will be at 10:00 AM Friday at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in
Belleville
KS
. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery Concordia,
Kansas
. Memorials may be made to Diabetes Foundation.
