CLARKSVILLE – Hoover Curtis King, age 89, of Clarksville, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018, at his residence.
   Hoover was born November 27, 1928, in Lagro, IN, to the late Joseph King and Eva Ma- rie Bates King. He was also preceded in death by his wife and best friend, Betty Jane Campbell King; son, Jimmy; brothers, Joe, Dick, and Hal; half brother, Joe Dale; and sister, Betty.
   Hoover was a Retired Sergeant First Class in the US Army and also served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 761.
   Graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 22, at 2:00 PM, at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, in Hopkinsville, where full military honors will be rendered. Rev. Jamie Mandrell will officiate.
   Mr. King is survived by his nieces and nephews; several close friends; and his wonderful caregivers.
  Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488.

[The Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, TN, 22 May 2018, Tue, Page A2]

Veterans deserve payback
for their years of service

   About the opinion "Military retirees taking advantage of patriotism" (Letters, Feb. 28), I served in the Navy aboard U.S. destroyers during World War IL I was 16 years of age not quite dry behind the ears. I went in for the duration of the war. All my duty was sea duty.
   And then 1948 I served in U.S. Army Ranger paratroopers. I was with the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky, where me and my wife lived for many years.
   I also paid my dues in Vietnam along with many other veterans. Now it is payback time for each and every one of us. Don't you think we deserve it for many hardships that my family had to go through, scratching up every penny to pay the bills?
   I know we are not trying to take something for nothing. And yes I did retire over 22 years and served our country, and I was proud of serving every day. Now put this in your pipe and smoke it!

HOOVER C. KING
Clarksville 37042

[The Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, TN03 Mar 2005, Thu Page 4]

[courtesy of Joe Craver]

Grave marker for Hoover C. King in Section 05, Site 0029, Kentucky Veterans Cemetery, West Hopkinsville (Christian county), Kentucky.

Note that the inscription shows he served in the Navy as a Seamen 1st Class aboard the Destroyer Escort USS Luke and on two destroyers, the USS Stormes and USS Perry.

After leaving the Navy he enlisted in the Army and became jump qualified.

Hoover served in the 508th ARCT during the Operation Gyroscope era and was one of those who ere transferred to reactivate the 101st at Fort Campbell.