Thomas Arthur King, age 100, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026, in Warrensburg, Missouri.

He was born on August 25, 1925, in Warrensburg, Missouri. He was the son of Arthur Taylor and Laura Zelma Clinton King, both of Warrensburg.

He was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout growing up. He achieved Eagle rank in both organizations, being a Jr. assistant scout master, an Eagle scout then Exploration Mate of Troop 400.

He was the President of his senior class, and he graduated from Warrensburg High School in 1943 with honors. Upon leaving high school, he enlisted in the Navy's V12 for 16 months. Following their training program at Chicago Wright College in July of 1943, he transferred to Oklahoma A&M to complete electronics and radio equipment special devices. From there he transferred to the Naval Air Base in Memphis, TN, until he was discharged honorably in 1946, then served in the Navy Reserves after the war and received Special Division, Tradesman V-6 USNR, then receiving an honorable discharge in May of 1950. He served during World War II with his total amount of service being 7 years and 9 days.

From there he attended MU in Columbia and enrolled in their Civil Engineering program in January of 1949.

On September 4, 1949, he was united in marriage to Elaine Potter Disosway of Sheldon III. She preceded him in death on May 1, 2015. Upon completing college, he went to work for the State of Missouri in the bridge bureau department traveling the state. In August of 1949, he went to work for Maxwell Bridge Construction. He taught Civil Engineering at MU. He also built the bridge on College Ave that goes over the railroad tracks, completing it in 1952. He also worked for Johnson Construction Company, at the Whiteman Air Force Base on the field layout crew. Throughout the 1950's and 1960's he traveled through Missouri, building bridges and culverts for the state. In 1965, he and his family settled back in Warrensburg to start land development. He developed several subdivisions; Spring Ridge Divisions 1, 2 & 3, King Hills 1& 2, along with Spring Branch Mobile Home Park. He was elected Johnson County Surveyor in 1984 and held this position until 2000. He was a member of the American Legion starting in 1948 and continued his membership until his death.

Tom is survived by his daughter Laura Beth King, and multiple nephews and nieces.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026, at the Grover Park Baptist Church in Warrensburg, Missouri, from 10:15 a.m., to 11:00 a.m., with a funeral service to follow. A graveside service will then be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg, Missouri.