Jerry Ray King

Jerry passed away peacefully, on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the age of 81, surrounded by his immediate family. Jerry Ray King was born on March 20, 1943, to Raymond King and Geraldine Westmoreland in San Angelo, TX. He married Julie Ann Cleveland on August 10, 1964, in Clovis, New Mexico, and celebrated their 60th Anniversary this year.

Jerry graduated from Olney High School, where he excelled in football, track, and baseball. He went on to attend West Texas State University on a full football scholarship, playing as a running back and defensive back from 1961 to 1964. Jerry was a proud member of the 1962 Sun Bowl Champion Football Team, which defeated the Ohio Bobcats 15-14. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from West Texas State University in 1964 and continued his education with a Master’s Degree and Counseling Certificate.

From 1965 to 1978, Jerry served as a Texas High School Football and Track coach at various schools, including Amarillo, Spearman, Kilgore, and Frenship. He concluded his coaching career as the head football coach and Athletic Director at Frenship High School. In 1976, he was named UIL District Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to an 8-2 record. Jerry later transitioned to sporting goods sales, serving as the Director of Team Sales for Cardinal’s Sport Center for 20 years before working at Athletic Supply for 15 years, where he serviced high school districts and coaches across West Texas and the Panhandle Region.
Jerry remained deeply connected to the high school athletic community by starting UIL track meets for over 35 years. He served as the UIL 5A Region Track Meet Starter for 30 years and was an official at the State Track Meet in Austin for more than 20 years, earning recognition as one of the top starters in the state. He also played a key role in founding the West Texas Football Coaches Clinic, serving as Co-Director for 30 years. This annual event was a vital networking and educational opportunity for high school football coaches across Texas.

An active member of the Wolfforth Lions Club, Jerry enjoyed his service there. Additionally, he had a strong passion for hunting and fishing, particularly turkey hunting and fly fishing. He spent many hot summers working alongside his family at their firework stand, which provided support for their college education.
Jerry is survived by his wife Julie King of Lubbock, Texas; son Jay King and wife Anissa of Lubbock, Texas; daughter Kippi Buchanan and husband Blake of Lubbock, Texas; and son Tye King of Lubbock, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren Zyler Buchanan and wife Breklyn of Lubbock, Texas; Jett Buchanan and wife Channing of Phoenix, Arizona; Kennedy King of Austin, Texas; and Truman Buchanan and wife Abigail of Lubbock, Texas; and Remi and Channing King of Lubbock, Texas; and great-grandchildren Blakely Buchanan and McKay Buchanan.

He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Geraldine King, sister Patti Adams, and bonus parents Claude and Rhudell Ferguson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jerry’s memory to Frenship Foundation (frenshipfoundation.org) or to a charity of your choice.

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