King, Gordon Dale
Gordon King was the fourth of five sons in a farming family in central Illinois. Sponsored by the town of Beason to study divinity and become a minister, Gordon received his BA from Illinois Wesleyan University before joining the military during WW II. While in the US Army Air Force, he served in the foothills below the snow capped majestic Himalayans in NE India. After the war, inspired by his introduction to world cultures, he returned to school on the GI Bill to earn a Master’s degree from SAIS at John Hopkins University.
He entered the US Department of State and served as an analyst, consul, economics officer, political officer, and finally as Consul General in US Embassies or Consulates in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Germany and England. During assignments in Washington he served in the Peace Corps and attended the US National War College.
Retiring after three decades of service he returned to his first passion. Returned to creative writing and published several books of Poetry. After living in North Carolina, Maine, California and two stays in England, he returned to live in Blacksburg, VA near his oldest son and grandchildren.
He is survived by three sons and two grandchildren. Always generous, Gordon would have appreciated that, in lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839 (https://www.redcross.org/)
A gathering for remembrance will be held on Sun, Feb 10th, from 2-4 PM at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive SW, Blacksburg, VA.
February 8, 2019 @ 11:26 am
Gordon was such an elegant and knowledgeable diplomat. We enjoyed his books and our conversations with him. He was a delight and we treasure the opportunity we had to know him.