Howard Lilburn King, 82, died December 1, 2009 at St. John's hospital, Springfield, MO. Born January 30, 1927 in Caruthersville, MO, he was the son of Reuben J. King and Laura Green King. He served in the US Navy during World War II, as Seaman Second Class, radioman. He was assigned to the USS Iowa BB61 battleship, and received the Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, where he earned a BS Degree in Agriculture Science. On November 18, 1951, Howard and Theda (Judy) Vaughn were joined in marriage at the United Methodist Church in Caruthersville by Rev. Floyd Brower. They observed their 58th wedding anniversary this past November. He was a Civil Service Investigator for the United States Government most of his working life. His primary assigned stations were Kansas City, MO, Jackson, MS and Washington DC. He retired in 1982 and moved to Springfield. Howard was most happy spending time with his family, particularly in the company of his wife. He is survived by his wife Judy; two daughters, Patti Lambert and Theda Vaughn, both of Springfield; one son, Ed Vaughn and his wife Judith of Springfield; four grandchildren, Karl Scott Lambert of Sikeston, MO and Benjamin Pack Lambert, Ozark, MO, Christopher Howard Vaughn, Brunswick, MD and Jennifer Vaughn Myer and her husband Mike, Grandview, MO. Survivors also include four grandchildren, Joseph Scott Lambert, Sikeston, Beth Myer, Josh Myer and Grace Myer, Grandview; two cousins who were very important to Howard, Jack Pankey and wife Jo of Dexter, MO, and Mary (Pat) Pullam, Kennett, MO. Howard also leaves his many employee friends at the Missouri State Veterans Home, Mt. Vernon, MO, where he was a resident at the time of his death; and his long-time friend Judith Shea Vaughn, Harrisonville, MO. All of the family are very thankful that their prayers were answered and that he has escaped the pain and suffering. He was not happy after he could no longer drive, and especially once he lost the ability to walk. A military service will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, where his urn will be placed next to the space reserved for his wife. He will receive the honorary 21-gun salute to honor the life of the once very young seaman in WWII. A short celebration of his life will take place to bid him bon voyage. It is the family's chosen belief that his soul, spirit, personality and the essence of him, has left his body and has entered a much greater place celebrated as heaven. "Whatever your beliefs, please just know that Howard "Kingfish" King was the sweetest, softest and most gentle man I have ever known," said his son. He was very generous and rarely critical; very, very seldom did he speak negatively of a person even if he did not personally hold that person in high esteem. The service, on Monday, December 7, 2009, at 1:00 p.m., in the pavilion at the cemetery, will be under the direction of Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to your favorite charity in Howard's name.