Brian Robert King

Brian Robert King, 80, of Keller, Texas, passed away on Sunday December 3rd, 2023, after an extended period dealing with multiple health issues. He was born on July 9th, 1943, in Sparta, WI to COL Ryan W. King and Frederica M. King.

Brian grew up in Sparta, spending extensive time with his beloved Aunt Vera and Uncle Dave McFall. Learning to fish with his Uncle Dave, he enjoyed outdoor activities and excelled in high school sports, playing on the Varsity Volleyball and Football teams, earning All-State honors. His infectious smile, gregarious personality and magnetic presence were an inspiration to his family, friends, co-workers and everyone he met.

After High School, Brian attended the University of Wisconsin for a year, then enlisted in the US Navy in 1964, earning selection to its prestigious Nuclear Power School. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Thomas Jefferson (SSBN 618) Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine, where he served bravely and honorably for over 7 years as a Sailor and Non-Commissioned Officer attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His assignments included a variety of CONUS and OCCONUS duty stations including Groton, CT, Holy Loch, Scotland and Rota, Spain.

Brian met Mary Ann while on leave, and they married in 1967 and started a family. Following completion of his reenlistment period and an Honorable Discharge in 1971, he transitioned to a successful civilian career spanning over 50 years as a Mechanical Engineer, specializing in Power Generation, and Insurance, holding variety of field and leadership roles at FM Global and Harford Steam Boiler. While working full time and raising his three children with his wife Mary, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from National Louis University, and also served as the Chairman of the Power Division for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), leading several international conferences, research initiatives and collaborative projects involving power generation technology innovation, efficiency improvements and climate impact.

Brian was a loving husband and father, proud of his family and deeply engaged in the lives of his children - playing catch in the yard & coaching his youngest daughter’s softball team. In his younger years, he enjoyed various home improvement projects which put his engineering skills to work – such as renovations, repairs and home improvements. All his life he enjoyed cooking large breakfasts for his family and whipping up goodies in the kitchen. In his later years, he loved spending time with his cherished grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting events. Brian had a larger-than-life personality and presence, with a booming voice and an infectious laugh that could fill a room. We will all miss his warm presence, good-natured humor and generous heart.

Brian is survived by his beloved family: wife Mary, daughters Melissa and Christine, son Kevin, son-in-law Jeff, grandchildren Madysen, Raeanne, Christopher and James, and a large extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins from across the country.
Due to the vast number and wide dispersion of his family, two services will be held.

1. The funeral service will be held on December 18th at Lucas Funeral Home at 1601 South Main St, Keller, TX 76248 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages charitable donations be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

2. A separate Memorial Service will be held later in mid-2024, in the Hartford, CT area (location and time TBD).