John H. King Jr.

John H. King Jr. of Bow, NH passed away on June 19, 2025 after nearly 3 years of waging war with cancer. Despite chemotherapy, radiation, steroids, oxygen, surgery, and multiple medications, he still couldn’t beat the devil. It wasn’t due to the lack of effort on his part or the expertise of the doctors.

John was born on March 21, 1956 in York, ME to John H. King Sr. and Ernestine (Smith) King. After his father passed just as he was turning 7, the family moved to Manchester, NH. John got his GED after attending Memorial High School. He married young and had 2 children, John Joseph and Mandy Lynn.

He worked hard to provide for his family, always working 2 or 3 jobs at a time. Initially John started working in the shoe shops, then at Granite State Machine, making and delivering pizzas, and delivering newspapers. He finally started his career as a driver for BSP, then taught himself to be a tractor-trailer driver. He worked for Overnite Transportation, later becoming UPS Freight, and retired after 25 years. He continued to drive part time, first with EJ Prescott, then Winwars Express until his diagnosis.

John was well known for his particular laugh and sense of humor. To John, a stranger was just a friend he hadn’t chatted up yet. He always tried to make people’s day by sharing a joke or bringing them into a conversation. If he didn’t know your name you were “kid,” which was much appreciated by non-kids! Even though he was having a rough day he would still joke with the many medical staff he encountered over the past few years. His naughtiness earned him the nickname “Devil Boy” many years ago.

John married Kerry Davin in 1997 and together they had one son, Alexander John. John truly enjoyed this second chance at parenting. He continued to be active in all his children’s lives and was their beloved hero. John loved participating in all kinds of activities with Alex, as well as building lasting memories with the family on their many vacations.

In addition to his family, John had other great passions in his life, including his Indian motorcycle, his ’84 Chevy Monte Carlo, square dancing with the Heel and Toe Square Dance Club, and scouting. He had been a big NASCAR fan during the era of Dale Earnhardt, and had a great love for Chevy cars.

John’s other passion was his pets, particularly his German Shepherds Haley and Juno. He was the center of their universe. Juno will miss him terribly, but Haley will be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge, as will our many cats.

John had 3 siblings; his sister Karen Lawrence and her husband Gary, and his brothers Raymond King and his wife Janet, and Samuel King and his wife Gloria of Orlando, FL; and several nieces, nephews, and granddogs.

For those of us left behind missing John in our daily lives will be a pain we will live with forever. Our loss, heaven’s gain.

A memorial gathering will be held in John's honor on June 24, 2025, at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, located at 243 Hanover Street in Manchester, NH from 3:30PM to 5:30PM, followed by a memorial service from 5:30PM to 6:30PM. As we gather to celebrate his life, we will share stories of the joy he brought and the laughter that still echoes in our hearts, ensuring that his spirit will always remain in a part of us.

In Lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that a donation be made in honor of John to the Solinsky Center for Cancer Care at The Elliot, or the Manchester Animal Shelter.