Alexander W. King

Alexander W. King
“Chris King”
 
Alexander W. King was born August 15, 1943 to the union of Willis A. and Rose L. (Johnson) King Sr. Chris was born in Charleston, Missouri a special Birthday gift for his Mom on her Birthday. He was the third child of seven children born to this union.

Chris was educated in the Kansas City MO school district and after joining the United States Navy in 1960 he pursued an educational path in communications.  After leaving the US Navy in 1964 he pursued more education in communications and broadcasting. Chris King’s life career was in radio broadcasting.  He was blessed to be able spend his entire career working for one company, the Carter Broadcasting Group here in Kansas City.  Chris King retired in 2007 after 38 years with KPRS-KPRT Broadcasting.

During Alexanders’ (Chris King) broadcasting career, he has served as communication liaison for the Niles Home for Children and the Dr. Martin Luther King Hospital and was instrumental in the formation of the W.E.B. Duboise Learning Center, the Black Archives of Mid-America and Ad Hoc Group Against Crime.

Chris King has been a three time award recipient from the Boys and Girls Club of America, he has been recognized for community involvement with the UMMA Chairman Award, has been recognized twice by the Samuel Rogers Health Center, Chris has been recognized by the Mutual Musicians Foundation and the Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz with the “Frank Smith Sprit of Jazz Award”, Has received recognition from the Missouri Division of Employment Security, was awarded twice by the Missouri Department of Mental Health and is a four time recipient of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Award for making the Martin Luther King celebration a reality in Kansas City.  Chris King has been awarded the “Kansas City Globe 100 Most Influential Award” twice and was recognized by the United States Senate and House of Representatives and the Missouri House of Representatives for his work in the community.
After almost 39 years of public service, Deacon Alexander (Chris King) believed that his most important contribution to the community has been his calling to serve as a deacon at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor A.M. Hudson and Pastor William F. Snorgrass. Chris accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as a child and understood that his relationship with Jesus Christ was the MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP he could ever have.  In doing so he taught Men’s Sunday School Class, Wednesday Morning Bible Study, He had served on the Trustee Board, and made himself available for any service that the church or the congregation needed until his health failed.
 
On January 5, 2024 Chris King made his transition from his home after a lengthy illness to his eternal home with his trusted companion and wife of 54 years at his side.   
 
He is preceded in death by his parents Willis and Rose King Sr., two brothers David Lee and Robert Wayne King, and his only sister Pearlie Jackson.
 
He leave to treasure his memories His wife, Delores D. King of the home, one son Anthony T. Chism (Kelly) Jacksonville Fl., three daughters Gwendolyn D. King, Carla King of Kansas City, MO, and Lisa R. Huntly Hope Mills, NC, A special daughter Roberta Starr (Dexter) of Kansas City MO.  Three brothers, Willis King Jr. (Patricia), James King and Rodney King (Robin) all of Kansas City MO.  Seven grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren, Many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends and the Progressive Missionary Baptist Church family.

Visitation will be 9AM, with services to follow at 11AM, Friday, January 12 at Progressive Baptist Church, 2945 Bales Ave., Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Forest Hill Cemetery.