Obituary of James L. King

James L. “Jim” King
Hilton, NY
May 17, 1951 - April 13, 2025  

James Leonard King passed away on Sunday, April 13th at the age of 73. 

Jim grew up in the town of Salem, Ohio - the youngest of four boys (Thomas, along with twins Robert and John) to parents Dr. Lowell and Letha Mae King - where he fostered a love for sports and made lifelong friends. He went on to attend Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where he met his future wife, Lynne O. Jackson, and graduated with a bachelors degree in economics in 1973. The couple married in the summer following their college graduation in the backyard of Lynne’s parents’ home in Hart, Michigan. Jim continued in his educational endeavors, attending Bowling Green State University and receiving his MBA. Jim and Lynne then moved to Buffalo during the pursuit of Lynne’s master’s degree. In 1984, Jim helped launch and served as the executive director for the New York Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for four decades; the organization was instrumental in economic recovery efforts following the September 11th attacks of 2001 as well as Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Jim retired from this position as executive director of the New York SBDC in 2017.  

During his more than three decades living in the Albany area, Jim spent years working, coaching his son’s sports teams, leading their cub scout groups and taking his family on numerous memorable trips.  Winters were spent skiing with family, carving the slopes on Berkshire, Catskill, Adirondack, and Green mountains and often booking dubious hotel accommodations.  Lovingly dubbed the “smoking tomato” due to his bright-red one-piece ski suit and penchant for skiing with a lit cigarette in his mouth, he could be spotted at local ski mountains including Brodie, Butternut and Jiminy Peak. He even took on helping to teach his future daughter-in-law how to ski; his other daughter-in-law, however, was already a proficient skier and required no assistance. 

Summers were spent at their family cabin in Pentwater, Michigan. Jim loved spending his days fishing, lounging on the beach or in the boat, fondly named the Magnolia. Jim and Lynne were also regulars at the annual Hog Roast in Southern Ohio with their Kalamazoo College family. Jim and Lynne’s love for Pentwater was instilled in their sons who will now carry on this tradition with their own children.

Jim always loved a good laugh with family, friends and colleagues. His well of one-line-jokes never seemed to run dry, no matter how often he used them. Jim enjoyed traveling, attending concerts with Lynne and friends, and vacationing with family. He enjoyed hearing from relatives, catching up with his sons’ friends and was always an amazing sounding board for ideas and problems.

In recent years, Jim has resided in Hilton, NY with Lynne for their retirement. In their home on the Lake Ontario shore, Jim loved to look out across the water with his grandchildren; he could be found sitting with Lynne, watching the waves crash along the shore. He was a beloved grandfather, caring father and dedicated husband for almost 52 years. 

Jim is survived by his beloved wife Lynne; his sons, Matthew (Shannon), and Andrew (Kathryn); his grandchildren Jack, Everett, Jacob and Harriet; brother Robert (Kay); niece and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Letha Mae King; brothers Tom and John.

Friends are invited to meet the family for calling hours on Saturday, April 26th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Paul W. Harris Funeral Home, 570 Kings Highway South, Rochester, NY 14617.

If you would like to make a contribution in Jim’s memory please donate to your local public library.