James Ronald (Ron) King 81, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away quietly at his home on November 13, 2025, in the company of his loving wife and niece. He fought a courageous battle against several serious illnesses.

Ron was born on June 12,1944, to Mildred and Lester King. He grew up in the Chattanooga area and attended Kirkman Technical High School. He joined the United States Air Force and was stationed on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. This was a very remote site with nothing around and only two cars on the island. Since this was such a remote site, he had his choice of assignments and went to Japan. After Japan, he was stationed in Savannah, GA at Hunter Army Airfield. After fulfilling his obligation to the Air Force, he moved to Atlanta, where he met the love of his life, Nora. He attended the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech, graduating from Georgia Tech.

Ron loved flying. After graduating from Tech, he obtained his pilot license and went on to become a flight instructor, and a designated FAA examiner for the Cessna Citation Jet. He went to work for Flight Safety where he was an instructor on numerous jet aircraft. He then went to work for Bell South as a corporate pilot. Ron achieved his dream of becoming an airline pilot when he was hired by Piedmont Airlines. He remained with the airlines through the acquisitions by US Airlines and then American Airlines, retiring in 2003.

Ron and Nora loved to travel. After he retired, they visited numerous places, mostly in the West. They did not fly but drove. Ron wanted to see the country, not just fly over it. Of all their travels, their favorite place was Yellowstone National Park, where they visited three times.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents Mildred and Leste King, brothers Lewis and Raymond King and Jerry Long. Sisters Jo An Henderson, Mary Nell Moulton, Marlene Corn, and Linda Long.

Survivors include Nora Lee King (Crout) beloved wife of 58 years. Sister Shirley Earnshaw (King) several nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, we ask donations to be made to The American Cancer Society, NASH (Nonalcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver Foundation) or Cobb County Humane Society.

Visitation will be held at the Marietta Funeral Home and Crematory, 915 Piedmont Road, Marietta, GA. 30066 with services to follow. Burial will be at the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton Georgia.

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