SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Arthur “Art” Lavern King, Jr., 86, of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Annette Desposito King, died Thursday morning, May 6, 2010, at Memorial Health University Medical Center.

Born in Gainesville, Georgia, he was a son of the late Arthur Lavern King, Sr. and the late Mary Jones King. Mr. King was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He was a United States Navy veteran where he served in World War II and also received the Purple Heart.  Mr. King retired after 25 years of service as a shipping supervisor for American Cyanamid. He later was the Assistant Director for 10 years for Chatham County Civil Defense.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Annette Desposito King of Savannah, Georgia; two daughters, Mary Kathleen Fogarty of Smyrna, Georgia, and Teresa Ann Dressel (Jackie) of Savannah, Georgia; three sons, Arthur Lavern King III (Robin Craig) of Roswell, Georgia, Michael Ralph King (Phyllis) of Statesboro, Georgia, and Vincent Joseph King, Sr. (Angel) of Tybee Island, Georgia; twelve grandchildren, John Patrick Fogarty (Suzanne), Brian Anthony Fogarty, Cristin Dressel Jernigan, Teresa Kathleen Dressel, Vincent Joseph King, Jr., Helen Christine King, John Philip Dressel, Jr., Jessica Annette King, Jean Annette King, Adam Flanagan Dressel, Michael Ralph King II and Arthur Lavern King IV; three great-grandchildren, Margaret Olivia Fogarty, Ashlyn Reese Fogarty and Thomas Edward Fogarty; two sisters and two brothers.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o’clock Friday at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue, with the Rosary service being held at 7 o’clock in the funeral home chapel.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment will be private.

Remembrances: Carmelite Monastery – 11 West Back Street, Savannah, Georgia 31419.