Cham Jones King

Cham Jones King, beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, peacefully left his earthly body on November 20th, 2023, surrounded by his three children, Cham Jones King II, Cynthia King Maness, Juli King, and by his wife of 66 years, Beverly King. Cham was born December 2nd, 1931 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Ila King and Richard William King and big brother, Richard William King Jr. of Duncan, Oklahoma. Though the family moved around quite a bit while Cham was a child, Duncan was always his home and where he felt most comfortable. Both of Cham’s parents had deep ties to Oklahoma and he was named after his grandfather, William Chamberlayne (Cham) Jones, who was a District Court Judge and also served as a State Representative for Oklahoma. Cham was a gifted athlete and played all sports, but really excelled at basketball. Cham graduated from Duncan High School in 1950 and was always proud to have been a Duncan Demon.

Shortly after graduation the Korean War broke out and Cham talked a group of his best friends into enlisting. While Cham’s buddies shipped out, Cham was held back due to an undiagnosed heart murmur and it took him several more months to get a Dr. to sign off on his admission to the Navy. Once enlisted, Cham served on the USS Los Angeles, a transport ship, as a Radio Operator from 1951-1954. Once discharged, Cham enrolled at Oklahoma State University to study Geology. While away at school, Cham’s mother encouraged him to ask out a young lady named Beverly June Orr with whom she taught school. Cham had gone to High School with Beverly and though they knew each other, had never gone on a date. Cham’s mother turned out to be a good matchmaker and Cham and Beverly were married, September 7th, 1957 in Duncan.

The two lived in Stillwater while Cham finished his degree and would welcome their son, Cham Jones King II on March 9th, 1958. After graduating from OSU, Cham went to work in the Oil Patch as a Geologist, a job which took the young family around the country. In 1960, while working for Baroid in Albion, Michigan, Cham and Beverly welcomed their first daughter into the family, Cynthia Leigh King, on March 12, 1960. In 1961 Cham went to work for United States Gypsum and that job brought the family to Dallas, Texas then eventually to Houston where the family added another daughter to the family, Juli Lynne King on March 22, 1966.

In 1973 the family re- located to their forever home in Spring, Texas where Cham lived with Beverly until his passing. Cham taught his children how to be good people in the world by the example he set for them and was a devoted father, coaching sports teams and never missing a game, dance recital, father-daughter dance, swim meet or play and musical. You would often find him shooting baskets with son Cham in the backyard, listening to music in the family playroom or working in the yard. There was rarely a day that you wouldn’t see Cham waging war against the pine needles and leaves of Houston, raking away!

Cham and Beverly were thrilled to expand their family when Cham II married Stephanie Mattox, Cynthia married Bruce Maness and Juli married Rick Royea. Cham then worked for Dresser Industries for a number of years before finally finding his work family and favorite job with Austin White Lime Company. Cham enjoyed working for the family run business and worked there well into his 70’s. While with Austin White Lime, Cham and Beverly, were able to travel around the country, Canada and the Caribbean.

In retirement, Cham and Beverly loved watching their family grow with the addition of three grandchildren, Cham Jones King III, Shannon Anne King and Clifford Eliot Maness. True to form, Cham, now Papaw, never missed a football or baseball game or dance recital of the grandchildren. Papaw was very proud of the thriving young adults and all-around good people they would become. Papaw was also happy to attend the weddings of grandson Cham III to Allie Mullins and granddaughter Shannon to Chandler Kyser and was thrilled to welcome great-grands, Cham Jones King IV, Chloe Jones Kyser and Mattox David King into the family. Papaw was also looking forward to meeting Shannon and Chandler’s twins, Campbell and Kennedy, who will be arriving in February, 2024.

A man of outstanding character, always true to his word, humble, a loyal friend, and loving and supportive husband to Beverly. What a beautiful family and legacy left behind by a quiet and gentle soul. The family is grieving the loss of the patriarch of their family and thank you so much for your support and kindness through this difficult time.

The graveside service and inurnment will take place at 11:15 AM on Monday, January 8, 2024 in Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038. We will line up in Lane 2 at 11:00 AM. There will be a reception to follow at Wunsche Brothers Cafe and Saloon in Old Town Spring, 103 Midway St. Spring, TX 77373. In lieu of flowers, donations and contributions may be made to The Cal Farley Girls and Boys Ranches.