CAPT Gordon E. King '50, DDS, USN Joins Chapter Celestial

Born in San Diego, CA, June 6, 1931, he returned to his Heavenly Father on March 15, 2020, free of Alzheimer's and cancer.

Gene was educated at University of California, Berkeley, on a football scholarship. He graduated from University of California, San Francisco, Dental School in 1952. As a Navy ROTC candidate, he received a direct commission as a Lieutenant on active duty.

He served on the battle cruisers USS Rochester and USS St. Paul, aircraft carrier USS Midway, and at Combat Field Hospital, Da Nang, Vietnam. While stationed at Treasure Island, CA, Dr. King was personal dental officer to Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. His other duty stations were at Naval Dental Clinics in Yokosuka, Japan, Oakland Naval Hospital, California, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. King was a Resident Fellow at M.D. Anderson Hospital & Tumor Institute, now known as M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, while on active duty in 1968. He returned to M.D. Anderson upon his Navy retirement in 1979, later becoming Chairman of Dental Oncology and Maxilofacial Prosthodontics until 1995. He was made a Professor Emeritus, and lectured and treated patients at UT Dental School in retirement.

Dr. King was a Member of the Academy of Prosthodontics, Charter Member of the American College of Prosthodontics, and past-President of the American Academy of Maxilofacial Prosthetics, who presented him the Ackermann Award, their highest honor. He helped create the International Academy of Maxilofacial Prosthetics and delivered the keynote speech at their first meeting in San Francisco, CA. Dr. King was a Board Member of the American Cancer Society, and Member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and Greater Houston Dental Society.

Gene was a Deacon at the Second Baptist Church (Woodway). He led the TDOC prison ministry and MasterLife programs in Sugarland and Rosharon units for over 20 years. Gene volunteered with hospital visitations, answered calls on the Prayer Line, and loved his Sunday School Bible-study group. He was a major supporter of the Texas Baptist Children's Home and Texas Baptist Men.

Survived by his loving wife, Beatrice V. King ("Bea"), devoted son, Theodore ("Ted"), and grandson, Chet King, of Austin, TX. His interment at Houston National Veterans Cemetery on March 27, 2020, was without his family, or military honors due to COVID-19 restrictions. A memorial Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.

In memory of Dr. King, contributions can be made to: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Gordon E. King, DDS Fund P.O. Box 4486 Houston, TX. 77210-4486 http://www.mdanderson.org/gifts