John King passed away suddenly on September 3, 2026, following a heart attack.
John was born on December 31, 1953, in Wichita, Kansas, to Hugh and Betty King. He grew up in Wichita, where he met his wife, Kathy, at Heights High School. He was a proud graduate of Kansas State University, where he earned a degree in Food and Animal Science.
In 1983, John and Kathy moved to Monroe, Wisconsin, when John accepted a job at Purity Cheese. Over the years, Monroe became home, and John became deeply involved in the community he loved. He served for several years on the Monroe School Board and the YMCA Board and was also a member of the Jaycees. John owned Crofts Crackers for more than 10 years, and many people may remember seeing him driving around town in the famous "Quacker Truck."
One of John's greatest passions was coaching his children's sports teams. Later in life, that passion shifted to watching his grandchildren play. His son Brad remembers Pop Pop unexpectedly showing up to his kids' games, popcorn in hand. When greeted with "I didn't know you were coming", John would simply reply, "Of course I'm here. There's a game, isn't there?"
John was an incredibly dedicated Pop Pop, always putting his grandchildren first. They always looked forward to spending time with him and knew that time with Pop Pop would likely include laughter, teasing, and donuts.
After retiring, John became a substitute teacher in the Monroe School District. Having watched his wife teach for 30 years, he gained a deep appreciation for the time and dedication required in the profession. John had a natural talent for teaching and quickly became a favorite among students and staff.
He also became known as the "Voice of Monroe," announcing all sporting events at the high school. Whether it was a sporting event, school club, or community activity, John was always excited to show up and lend a helping hand.
John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, educator, coach, community member, and friend. He will be remembered for his humor, generosity, curiosity, and dedication to the people he loved. His presence in Monroe and in the lives of his family and friends will be deeply missed.
John is survived by his wife, Kathy King; his children, Brad (wife Erin and children Carter and Jayden), Jeff (wife Lawrence and children Amis, Gus, Wally, Eliza, and Briggs), and Jenny (husband Joe and children Neeya and Harper); and his brother, Randy King.
Please join Kathy and family in celebrating John's life on September 19th from 1 p.m. 4 p.m., with words from family and friends at 3 pm held at: Ludlow Mansion, 1417 Mansion Dr., Monroe, WI 53566
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Monroe High School FFA program. Contribute here: https://gofund.me/lbade76ad
