Program Officer Edward King Jr. Passes
JACKSONVILLE, Florida (July 14, 2011) — The Rev. Edward King Jr., senior program officer for the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, died Wednesday, July 13, after a long illness. He was 60 years old.
Rev. King’s life was guided by his deep faith and his concern for others, and he expressed those values in his choice of occupations and his personal demeanor.
Much of his 18-year career in philanthropy was spent working with churches and religious organizations, and he was a vocal champion of community work on behalf of the poor and underserved.
During most of his adult life he was in service to the church, either as a lay or ordained leader. In his family and personal life, his faith was reflected in his patience, peacefulness and unshakeable grace.
“Edward was an important part of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund,” said Fund President Sherry Magill. “He played a key role in the work of the Fund, but he also was an important member of the Fund family. He was the calm in the storm, the one who was never rushed or anxious, the peacemaker, the one who shared your burdens.
“We worked closely together for more than 16 years and enjoyed a deep personal and professional friendship. There’s simply no one like him. I will miss him terribly.”
Rev. King joined the staff of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund in 1995, shortly after earning a Master’s of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta. During most of his tenure, he served as Senior Program Officer for the Fund’s religion portfolio, which includes 75 churches, a synagogue and 15 other religious organizations.
While he worked with organizations across the country, he had a special interest in the communities of Port St. Joe, Florida and the Northern Neck of Virginia, both rural communities where the Jessie Ball duPont Fund maintains relationships with numerous churches. He took particular pleasure in the Fund’s work with vulnerable people in these areas, championing after school programs, development of workforce housing and job creation initiatives.
“Edward really was a voice for those who needed a voice,” said Kitty Phillips, long-time trustee of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. “He came to know the people in these communities and he cared deeply about their welfare.”
A native of Miami, Rev. King received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami School of Business in 1989 and promptly joined the staff of the Dade Community Foundation (now The Miami Foundation) as a program officer working on affordable housing and economic development in economically depressed neighborhoods.
Throughout his adult life he served as a church leader, teaching Sunday School, serving as a deacon and youth director, chairing a building fund or training young adults. In 1992, he enrolled in the Candler School of Theology and, while there, served as assistant director of the Pew Research and Education Program at Emory.
After receiving his degree, he was ordained by the Florida Baptist Convention. In addition to his work with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, he served as assistant minister at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church. He was frequently called upon to lead services at other churches in North Florida, including St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in downtown Jacksonville.
“Edward King for many years was not only St. Mary’s primary link to the Jessie Ball duPont Fund as an eligible grantee organization, but he was my dear, dear friend and brother in Christ,” said Sue Carmichael, lay vicar at St. Mary’s. “Our transparent conversations over lunch ran the gamut from politics to preaching and prayer, and they always took us to a deep place in the heart of God. His death leaves a huge hole in my heart and my only consolation is that I will see him again.”
In addition to his work with the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Rev. King was active in the community and in the field of philanthropy. He was a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville and served on the program committees of LISC Jacksonville and the Southeastern Council of Foundations, was a member of the board of the Council on Foundations Black Church and Philanthropy Project, and was active in the Association of Black Foundation Executives and the Neighborhood Funders Group.
Rev. King was preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle King. He is survived by his wife, Cerrito, and four children: Vanessa King, Edward King III, Michae’l King and Justin King.
Arrangements are pending.
The Jessie Ball duPont Fund makes grants to more than 330 eligible organizations identified by Mrs. duPont in her will. The Fund has assets of more than $281 million and has awarded more than $303 million in grants since 1977.
Contact:
Sherry Magill, president
904-353-0890 / smagill@dupontfund.org
Mary Kress Littlepage, KBT & Associates
904-384-8496 / mekl@comcast.net