Garry Donald King Jr's Obituary
Garry Donald King, Jr., 56, of Farmington, Arkansas passed away January 4th, 2023. He was born
March 17th, 1966 to Garry and Totsy Virginia Houston King in Jonesboro. The family moved to
Prairie Grove in 1967 and later moved to Fayetteville and then Elkins when Garry was in the 3rd
grade. He grew up on Mount Olive where his self confidence, aptitude for engineering, sense of
responsibility, and love of German Shepherd Dogs became evident.
Garry leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Tina Clevenger King and his daughters, Kathryn Ebb, 25,
and Augusta Kay, 18. He is also survived by his in-laws, Michael and Debra Clevenger and Ebb’s
fiance Daniel Morrell. His siblings are Peggy Counts, Teresa Toney, Bobby Toney(in heart), Sammie
and Sam McTigrit, and Paul and Jennifer King. Garry has 13 nieces and nephews, many great ones,
and a few great-greats. On the King side he leaves behind aunts and uncles: Larry, David and Pat,
Wyndell and Vicki, Nora and Phil Davis, Darlene and Rip Harrison and Janet and Norma. On the
Houston side he is survived by aunts and uncles: Mary Hardin, Herschal and Glenda and Judy.
Garry’s close cousins are bountiful, as are lifelong friends like Jason “Bubba” Tillman. Garry was an
integral part of the Clevenger family for nearly 32 years and his passing leaves them shaken.
Garry lost his dad when he was 22 years old and his mother in 2017. On his dad’s side he was
preceded in death by 5 aunts and uncles and on his mom’s, he had lost 6 aunts and uncles. Garry
had also lost his brother in law Chip Clevenger, niece Jayne Toney Wolski and friend Jerry Boyd
along with many other dear ones.
From a young age, Garry recognized injustice and raged against adults and systems that allowed it.
He began training in Kung Fu in elementary school, so he could be challenged physically and
mentally and learn to self regulate. He was a 3rd Degree Black Belt. He graduated from Elkins High
in 1984. In school, he broke a couple of sports records, his ankle and the basketball coach’s nose
without consequences. Garry attended a few classes at the UofA before he decided to go into the
Air Force. He was vetted and slated to go into intelligence, but broke his ankle again while
training with the Air Force track team and his service ended.
Garry loved fast motorcycles and fast cars. At 14 he rode his motorcycle to the Grand Canyon, and
turned around and rode home. There are many tales of out running police on his motorcycle or in
his Mustang, and then his IROC-Z, just for fun. He had a Fayetteville cop fired in the late 80’s for
giving him 7 traffic citations in as many days, but he never got a speeding ticket. Garry knew his
rights and knew the law, but he liked to push the limits.
After the Air Force he worked for MarshallTown Tools where he invented 3 mechanisms that were
patented under his name. Garry could fix anything. He was born mechanically-minded and
intrinsically understood how motors, electrical circuits, and advanced communication systems
work. He worked at the Springdale and Fayetteville wastewater departments for a few years,
where he held a Class III Water License. He was contracted to monitor, diagnose and fix systematic
failures of several local wastewater systems until his passing.
During his MarshallTown years, Garry was also a bouncer at the Old Post Office Club and then at
Tremors, another night club on the Fayetteville Square. Through his nightclub days he made
lifelong friends, worked security for local events, met many celebrities, and was scouted by the
Palladium in New York City. Garry went full throttle during those years and had an entourage in
tow to enjoy the fun.
In 1991 Garry saw Tina across a room and and he said he was going to marry her before they were
introduced. They exchanged vows on August 12th, 1995. At that point Garry had started building
fence and grew Quality Advantage Fencing and Construction into the leading fencing company in
Northwest Arkansas for many years. He took pride in his work so every project was as close to
perfect as he could get it. As the years went by Garry only worked for repeat clients that became
friends. Garry set up his work life to be able to work around his family life, which always came
first.
When Ebb was born Garry’s heart doubled in size. When Augusta was born it happened again. For
his daughters he was a fortress of safety and comfort. The girls knew he would never lie to them,
he would never disappoint them, and hoped he would never leave them. He was the pillar of
strength, support, and wisdom for his girls. He wanted to know how their lives were everyday from
infancy, and that grew into them naturally telling him how everyday was, in detail. He showed
them compassionate love. His attention showed devotion. He raised powerful women and he
expected them to be capable and mighty. He made them confident with praise and was their soft
place to fall when life was hard. He was their #1 fan and their harshest critic. His face shined a
light on how talented and competent he knew they are. To them he was SuperMan. His affection
for them was only second to his affection for their mother. He professed his love for their mother
in words and in actions continually.
Garry was an avid outdoorsman and an expert marksman. He lived as much life in the woods and
on the lake as possible. The hunting cabins and Elk Creek Resort were his favorite places, besides
on the couch at home - he loved TV. He was a social butterfly and a dedicated friend. But above
all, he was a compulsive caretaker and a joyful servant.
Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (NIV) Garry will be reunited with his loved ones in
Glory.
Garry will be cremated under the care of Moore’s Chapel and there will be a celebration of his life
at his home on January 14th, 2023 from 2 to 5. All are welcome, please bring stories.
What’s your fondest memory of Garry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Garry?
Share a story where Garry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Garry you’ll never forget.
How did Garry make you smile?