Mr. John James King

January 4, 1947 - October 27, 2010
Kingsport, Tennessee

Set a Reminder for the Anniversary
of John's Passing.
Set Reminder →

Visitor Activity

1686	Visitors
12	Condolences Left
2	Photos Shared
1	Memory Shared

Obituary
Service Information
Sign
Guestbook
Photos
& Videos
Share A
Memory

Email Print

Add Photo →

View More Life Images →

John James King, age 63, of Kingsport died on Tuesday, October 26, 2010.

He was born on January 4, 1947 in Kingsport, TN. He graduated from Dobyns Bennett High School. He attended University of North Texas in Denton, TX, where he met his wife, the former, Dola Guernsey. They moved to San Francisco where he joined the Steve Miller Band as the drummer. With the band, he had a platinum, gold and silver album. After leaving the band, he started his own business, India Street Percussion, selling instruments worldwide. He brought his family and business back to Tennessee to be near his parents and to raise his daughters.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Dola of the home; daughters, Amye King Fish and husband, TJ of Tavares, FL, Nikelle King Hagy and husband, Adam of Kingsport; mother, Maxine White King of Kingsport; grandson, Anderson King Fish of Tavares, FL; brother, Campbell A. King, III and wife, Barbara of Savannah, GA and their daughter, Sarah King Forrester and husband, Will of Savannah, GA.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM in the J. Wayne Hamilton Memorial Chapel of Oak Hill Funeral Home.

A graveside service will follow in Oak Hill Memorial Park in Section D with Pastor James Hagy officiating.

The staff of Oak Hill is honored to serve the family of John James King.

Would you like to send condolences to John's family? Click below to View the Service Information, Sign the Guestbook or share a special story about Mr. John James King.

View Services → Sign the Guestbook → Share A Memory →

Email Print

Service Information

Visitation

October 30, 2010
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Oak Hill Funeral Home
800 Truxton Dr.
Kingsport, TN 37660

Get Directions

Interment

October 30, 2010
11:00 AM

Oak Hill Memorial Park
800 Truxton Drive
Kingsport, TN 37660

Get Directions

Would you like to send condolences to John's family? Click below to Sign the Guestbook or share a special story about Mr. John James King by clicking Share A Memory.

Sign the Guestbook → Share A Memory →

Email Print

The guestbook provides friends and family an online version of the guestbook at the Funeral Service. Here you can sign your name and leave your condolences for the family.

I just learned of Johnny's passing while searching for him in connection with his very significant contribution as a member of The Steve Miller Band.

Although I didn't know Johnny well, I knew him well enough to know that he was a very kind and thoughtful person. I will always remember him from school and from hearing the sound of drums from inside his home while playing ball at Sevier's playground and walking down Oak to the Minute Market.

Posted by: Ray Pollard - Matthews, NC - classmate Feb 21, 2011

Was so sorry to hear about John. Will always remember going to hear him play when Larry and I first started dating.

Posted by: Judy Jones - TN Nov 10, 2010

My condolences go out to John's family.

Posted by: Michael Brainard - Jupiter, FL Oct 31, 2010

Attended junior high and high school with Johnny. We were also in the band together. He loved music and palyed the heck out of the drums. Johnny was always a good guy and never got into mischeif, not too much anyway. I am indeed quite saddened to hear of his passing. Always thought well of him.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Posted by: James O. Harris - Mattoon, IL - high school friend Oct 30, 2010

I had known Johnny since grade school and we were fellow drummers at John Sevier band. He was a natural and taught me a lot, teased me a lot as a "girl drummer" and I had to often carry the bass drum in the marching band. He lent to a lot of wonderful memories from those days. My prayers go to the family of such a wonderful person.

Posted by: Melva Moore - Kingsport, TN - classmate Oct 30, 2010

Page: 1 of 3

Do you have a special story about Mr. John James King you'd like to share? Click below to Share A Memory.

Share A Memory →

Email Print

Share A Memory

The family invites you to share your beloved stories and tales of joyful times you had with their loved one. You are also asked to add a favorite photo that captures the moments you'll never forget. Leave the comforting gift of a smile for the family today, and a lasting treasure of memories for future generations.

Share Your Favorite
Memory of Mr. King →

Connect With Facebook:	Connect your Facebook profile to your memory
* Your Name:
* Your Email Address:
City:
State:
Relationship:
Share a photo:	+ Add more photos
* Your Story:
* Enter the text shown in the box and click Share

I was so saddened to hear of Johnny's passing. I have many memories of Johnny coming to my house to see Chuck, play the drums and listen to jazz music. Johnny and Chuck used to go to the King's lake house and they both would take their set of drums and just beat those skins all night long. One time they made a tape of themselves and it was pretty awesome. Chuck, like Johnny loved the drums and still played up to time he passed away. I can't help but think of those two being together again and what they must be up to. Those of you who knew them in high school can probably still hear them saying that "Bird Lives"! My whole family thought highly of Johnny and, although I have never met his family, I know you have lost a wonderful... READ MORE →

Posted by Nancy Whicker from Johnson City, TN - high school friend on
October 31, 2010

Connect With Facebook:	Connect your Facebook profile to your comment
* Your Name:
* Your Email Address:
City:
State:
Relationship:
Share a photo:	+ Add more photos
* Comment:
* Enter the text shown in the box and click Share
	Cancel

Would you like to send condolences to John's family? Click below to Sign the Guestbook.

Sign the Guestbook →

Family Login:

Mr. John James King

Visitor Activity

Service Information

Visitation

Interment

Photos & Videos

Photo Albums

Family & Friend Community