King, Walter Thomas
January 16, 1935-July 6, 2023
Our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Walter Thomas King passed away peacefully at the age of 88 years on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Camilla “Joyce”, son Edwin, brothers James and Reginald, sister Regina and will be lovingly remembered by his children: SaVeene (Ollie), Audrey (Cornelius), Andrea (Eric), Erin (Michael), grandchildren: Stephenie, SaVeene, April, Carson, Ashley, Camille, McKenzie, Maxwell, Marley, Madison, Mychael, and great grandchildren Monét, Xavier, and Tres and his brother, William T. Barnes(Amy) as well as a host of relatives and friends.
Walter Thomas King, also known as “Walt” and or “WT”, was born and raised in Tallahassee, FL. He was a graduate of Griffin High School where he excelled academically and as a basketball player. He honorably served overseas in the Army where his skills as a cook laid the foundation for how we know him today.
His early years as a cook/chef took him through Montauk New York, Miami, and finally Jacksonville where he settled down and began raising his family with Joyce.
Walt was hired by Red Lobster in 1971 to manage one of their newest restaurants in Winter Park, FL. He held various managerial positions and traveled the world before retiring after 36 years. As one of Red Lobster’s longest tenured employees and an integral part of the now highly popular American eatery, as well as Darden restaurants, his hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed. The menu item fried shrimp was renamed “Walt’s Favorite Fried Shrimp” in his honor just before his retirement.
WT worked hard and after retirement fully enjoyed life. He loved fishing, spending time at the beach and festivities with his family. Of all his accomplishments he is most proud of his children in whom he instilled the importance of family, hard work, and education.
A graveside Memorial Service will be held on Monday July 17, 2023 at 11 am at the National Cemetery in Tallahassee, FL followed by a Celebration of Life at the Carriage House at Goodwood, 1600 Miccosuke Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32808
Memorial Donations may be made in Walter T. King’s name to http://give.fsu.edu/walterking
The Walter T. King Scholarship was established within the FSU Black Alumni Scholarship Fund by Andrea King Friall, MD, and Eric Friall to provide support for first generation college students enrolled in the FSU College of Medicine (M.D. Degree Program). The Walter T. King Scholarship will serve as a lasting tribute to Dr. Friall’s father for his love, support and dedication to opening doors for his daughter to be the first physician in the family.
