Rev. Thomas J. King

Rev. Thomas J. King, 77 died Saturday April 4th at Holy Family Villa in Bethlehem.

Fr. King was born in Bridgeport, Montgomery County Pa and was the son of the late Gerald J. and Alice R. McCormick King.

As a youth Fr. King attended St. Augustine School in Bridgeport, Pa. and also St. Patrick's and St. Francis in Norristown. He graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Norristown.

After high school he attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and was ordained May 14, 1960 at The Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

He served many parish's as Assistant Pastor in the Diocese of Allentown including St. Ursula's in Fountain Hill, St. Margaret's in Reading, St. Thomas Moore in Allentown, The Assumption of BVM in Slatington, St. Elizabeth's of Hungary in Whitehall, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton and the Cathedral at St. Catharine of Sienna in Allentown.

He served as pastor of St. Jerome's Parish in Tamaqua and Sacred Heart Parish in Miller Heights, Pa. He was named pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart Parish January 8, 2008.

Fr. King was an avid sports fan. He was a dedicated Chaplin for the football teams of the Marion Catholic High School, the Bethlehem Catholic High School, and Notre Dame of Green Pond High School. He rarely missed a game and truly cared for the players and the coaches.

He thoroughly enjoyed rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia "A's" and enjoyed many trips to the University of Notre Dame.

Surviving is his brother Lou F. King of Norristown and his nine nieces and nephews and 12 grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Jerry.

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday April 6th with a Vigil Service on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church First Street in Miller Heights.

There will also be visitation on Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church with The Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, D.D Bishop of Allentown as the main celebrant.

There will also be a Memorial Mass on Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila on South Trooper Rd. in Norristown.

Memorials may be made in memory of Fr. King to Sacred Heart Church First St. Bethlehem, Pa. 18017