The Rev. James M. King, 93, a lifelong resident of Kennebunk and much loved father and grandfather, entered his eternal home March 17, 2022, following a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Jim was born Oct. 15, 1928, at the family farm in North Kennebunkport, the son of George Wilbur and Charlotte Kathleen Webb King, and is a graduate of Kennebunk High School, where he earned the moniker Jitterbug King. He continued his education attending Gordon College and Gordon Divinity School, where he earned his masters of divinity in 1955.

While pastoring in several churches, he felt led to the mission field, joining the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society in 1959 and in 1960 left for Costa Rica, returning home in 1965. He returned to the mission field, spending the next year in Argentina, and again from 1972 to ’76, returning home with his young family, joining Kennebunk Christian Academy in 1979 as a Spanish teacher while ministering at Highpine Baptist Church in Wells until 1986.

From 1988 to 1997 he served the Goodwins Mills Advent Christian Church, and most recently has served as minister of Kennebunk Baptist Church since 2001.

The Rev. King loved to spend time with his family sharing a meal or a hearty laugh, walking the beach or reading a good book, was known for his sweet tooth, especially a good chocolate chip cookie, playing the piano and sharing his home with several huskies that were a part of his family over the years. Most importantly, he was known for the phone call or handwritten note to a friend when it was most needed.

Reverend King is predeceased by the love of his life, Dorothy (Ward) King, who passed way Feb. 6, 2011.

Survivors include his son Phillip King of Kennebunk, daughter Phyllis-Anne Munro and her husband Alex of Saco, granddaughter Katelyn Munro of Saco, and a sister Kathleen Hevey of Pennsylvania.

A Celebration of Reverend King’s life and ministry will be held 11 a.m. Monday, March 28, 2022, at Kennebunk Baptist Church, 79 Main St., Kennebunk. He will be laid to rest privately beside Dorothy following the service. Masks will be required for those who wish to attend the service in person. For friends and family who would like to join the service remotely, a Zoom link will be posted on Jim’s Book of Memories page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Kennebunk Baptist Church Historical Fund, P.O. Box 396, Kennebunk, ME 04043.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Jim’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.