Dr. Horace C. King, age 87, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Friday, January 23, 2015 at his home in Flora.

   Dr. King was born April 25, 1927 on the Crickman Farm in Clay County, Illinois to Horace G. and Opal H. (Crickman) King.  He married Josephine Ann Weitzmann of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan in 1954, and they were blessed with three children:  Deborah, Clifford and Mary.  Dr. Josephine Ann King died in 1999. 

   Dr. King was a Veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army.  He earned three academic degrees from Michigan State University.  Dr. King retired as Professor Emeritus and Registrar Emeritus, and was a member of the Executive Management Group at Michigan State University.  His career included separate corporate assignments with Chrysler Corporation and Ford Motor Company and extensive international assignments with institutions of higher education in Japan, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, Nigeria, Colombia, and Brazil.  At Michigan State University he had faculty appointments in Business Administration, Administration, and Higher Education.  He authored two books: the first published in 1953, focused on the development of free competitive enterprise in Japan; the second published in 1962 was an analysis of educational, administrative, and cultural relationships in institutions of higher education.  He compiled and edited over 500 professional reports and publications. 

   Following his retirement from Michigan State University in 1991, Dr. King relocated to Flora, Illinois.  He became very involved in the Flora community including service with the Clay County Industrial Commission, the Clay County Board, the Flora Library Board, and the Flora Rotary Club.  While in Flora, Dr. King maintained his academic associations as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of American Studies.  He served that institution as its leader with both domestic and international programs for the balance of his life.  He earned a Ph.D. degree in Business Administration, Economics, and Higher Education as well as an honorary Ph.D. for his distinguished international achievements.  He was a member of several honor societies and professional organizations and received numerous awards and honors.

   Surviving Dr. Horace King are his daughter Deborah and husband Sidney Frisch, Jr. and their daughters Lauren and Michelle in Chicago, Illinois; his son Clifford and wife Mary, and their daughter Elizabeth and son Matthew in Sarasota, Florida; and his daughter Mary and husband Stephen Woods, and their daughter Jillian, son Stephen, and daughter Emily in Falmouth, Maine.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, parents-in-law, and a brother-in-law Jim Weitzmann.

   A memorial service for Dr. Horace King will be 11 a.m. Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, with visitation from 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.  Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Flora, with military honors.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan State University Beaumont Society Development Fund in memory of Dr. Horace C. King and will be accepted at the funeral home.  To share a condolence, please visit www.frankandbright.com