Robert Norman King

Robert “Bob” Norman King, 90, of North Charleston, SC, who was a beloved, husband, father, grandfather, friend and public servant went to meet his Lord and Savior on April 26, 2024 with his family by his side. He was a life-long resident of the Park Circle area of North Charleston where he started his own family and was a long-time active member of North Charleston United Methodist Church.

One of Bob’s passions in life was helping all people, and he spent his life in dedicated service to others. His contributions to improving the place he has called home during his lifetime have been invaluable. He truly loved the City of North Charleston and served the people of the city as a City Councilman until December 31, 2023.

Bob graduated from North Charleston High School (Class of 1953) and served his country in the Army until 1956. He graduated from The Citadel (Class of 1960) and is a member of the Citadel Alumni Association Charleston Chapter. On November 22, 1963, he was commissioned into the US Army Reserves. Over the years, he served as a Commanding Officer assigned to the 942nd Transportation Company (Charleston); instructor assigned to the SC National Guard; conductor of annual reserve training at various locations around the country; staff officer assigned to the SC Military Department; a Commanding Officer, Joint Services, in the office of the SC Adjutant General, with the rank of Major General, and was a member of the Washington Light Infantry and Sumter Guards. He was an Honorary Commander of the Joint Base Charleston.

His civic and community service is extensive and long standing. Past offices include service as Register of Mesne Conveyance for Charleston County, a North Charleston City Council Member, North Charleston Municipal Court judge, and Charleston County Council member. He is also past chairman of the Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union Board of Directors; member of the MEAD Westvaco Citizens Advisory Committee; and past president of both the Association of the United States Army (Charleston Chapter), North Charleston Jaycees, North Charleston Exchange Club, and the Chair of Charleston National Association of County Recorders and Clerks of Court.

Mr. King established the committee that led to the founding of Trident Hospital, participated in the founding of the Charleston County EMS system, and wrote legislation for the establishment of the Charleston County Substance Abuse Commission.

As of 2023, Bob King served fifty-four years in Charleston County as an elected or appointed official. On November 11, 2023, the newly redeveloped Park Circle Community Building was dedicated to him out of the city’s profound gratitude for his unwavering dedication to the citizens of North Charleston and his remarkable service.

He will be forever remembered and loved by his devoted wife of over 65 years Jean Mitchum King, daughters Debra Powell of Hanahan, SC and Stacey Simokat (Matt) of Summerville, SC; a son Rob King (Janice) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; six grandchildren Michael and Amanda Scott, Austin King (Camille) and Macara King, Blake and Ashlyn Simokat; five great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; a sister Frances King Graham of New Tazewell, TN,  sister-in-law Alice King of Columbia, SC, and many  nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents James Alton and Eula Mae Stokes King, two brothers J. Benton King and James Adron King.

His service will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 North Charleston United Methodist Church, 1125 East Montague Avenue, at 11:30am. Interment will follow with military honors at Carolina Memorial Gardens, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 29, 2024 at the Park Circle Community Center, 4800 Park Circle, North Charleston from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Northwoods Chapel, 2180 Greenridge Road, North Charleston, SC 29406.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Charleston United Methodist Church, 1125 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405.