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View a eulogy for Jon Eliot King, USMA '65, who passed away on October 21, 2020.

Jon Eliot King

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Ross Wollen on November 11, 2020:

While I hardly knew Classmate Jon King at West Point, we became as close as possible shortly after our Graduation. I believe it was in Airborne School when we quite literally sized each other up (both short and stocky) and decided to be Ranger Buddies in Ranger Class #4. A principal goal was not to be recycled to the feared "Frostbite Five". I developed an ugly right heel (blood and bone) that would surely have gotten recycled if seen by any of the Ranger Cadre. Jon dipped into his backpack and gave me a plastic heel purchased at Fort Benning Ranger store. It saved me! This oft-told story of mine under appreciates the many con-tribulations we mutually made as Buddies and Jon's great support in long runs and other grueling tests on the way to a Ranger tab, always done with good nature.

Jon and I (both attorneys) were both active in the WPAOG and our local Societies, he in Houston and I in NYC. We would make a point of getting together at A-A?A1/265 Class Reunions and he would let me know when at West Point or NYC. As was mentioned at his recent Celebration of Life in Houston, Jon had a heart transplant about 20 years ago from a young female accident victim. Because he was always amused by it he would approve of my mentioning my sending him flowers once in a while. As others who knew him better have said he always had a smile and I can attest to that. Thanks, Ranger Buddie Jon for the memories. Ross & S&D

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