Thomas Francis King

Thomas Francis King (Tom), age 79, of Durham, NC, passed away on June 26, 2024. Tom was born in Cleveland OH on November 2,1944 to Robert J. and Eileen M. King (nee Carmody). He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Linda (nee Moracz), his daughter Dawn Matta (David), his son Christopher, his four grandsons, Alexander, Ryan, Colin, and Jason, five brothers, Tim (Kathy), Gerry (Laurel), Brian (Sue), Kevin (Christy), David (Sue) and four sisters, Ronnie Whalen (Tom), Peggy Neumann (Randy), Noreen Hone (Don), and Rhea Wightman (Wayne). He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dennis.

Tom served in the Army from 1963 to 1965, and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He and Linda married in 1968. After moving from Cleveland to Butler, PA, Tom and Linda founded the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Wine Society. As a lifetime member of the AWS he was presented the Outstanding Member Award in 2016 as well as the prestigious Award of Merit from the AWS Educational Foundation. Tom loved to help run wine competitions benefiting various charitable foundations, spanning many years. Most notable was the Great American International Wine Competition, where he volunteered for over 20 years.

Tom was the ultimate family man and a loyal and true friend to so many. He will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 am on July 6, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 11401 Leesville Rd., Raleigh, NC, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery, 1621 Duke University Rd., Durham, NC.

 In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Tom’s name to InterVol, 100 Kings Highway South #1200, Rochester, NY, 14617, or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) @ www.breakthrought1d.org.