Obituary
Charles (Chick) Raymond King Jr. passed away peacefully at 86 on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in State College, PA. We are so thankful that he is now at peace and out of pain.
Chick was born on October 10, 1937, to Charles R. King Sr. and Elinor (Rosen) King in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. Following Chick’s high school years at Central High School where he excelled in track, cross country and swimming, his father, mother and younger brother John later moved to Springfield, PA. He went on to attend Penn State University (WE ARE!) where he studied architectural engineering and was a member of the PSU Varsity track team that won the medley and the 4-Mile college relay at the 1959 Penn Relays. He was a proud brother at Acacia Fraternity and there he met the love of his life Nancy Spencer. In 1961, he and Nancy married and moved to the Philadelphia area, finally settling in Wallingford in 1969. Chick began his work as a commercial architect in Philadelphia at Charles Brody and Associates and later went on to start his own firm, The Office of Charles King in 1985. He designed over 800 stores for Talbots Women's clothing, and many other clients. In his spare time he helped Nancy with her catering business, Second Helping Catering and spent from 1973-1990 remodeling their home on Brookhaven Road.
They lived in Wallingford for 43 years during which time they raised their two children, Susan and Jeff. He enjoyed time and vacations with family, ski weeks and hosting New Year’s Eve parties (1961-2022!) with his fraternity brothers’ families, played squash with his work buddies, helped with Jeff’s boy scout troop and made fine furniture. As empty nesters, Chick and Nancy enjoyed traveling to many national and international destinations.
In 2010, Chick and Nancy moved back to State College to the Village at Penn State. They quickly immersed themselves in the Village community and the Penn State University community. They enjoyed meeting new friends, attending sporting, cultural, symphony and educational events as well as their involvement in the Village at Penn State community. During his time at the Village, Chick served as President of the Village Council and Co-chair of the Village Capital Campaign Fundraising Committee. He also enjoyed volunteering at the PSU daycare center, helping in the design/remodel of his beloved Acacia Fraternity house, making wooden bird houses, watercolor painting (having painted hundreds of pictures) and other philanthropic endeavors. He established scholarships in the School of Hospitality in memory of Nancy, as well as a Track and Field and School of Architecture scholarships at PSU. Throughout his life Chick always valued family. Time with his children and grandchildren were always a highlight.
Chick was preceded in death by his parents Charles (Cholly) Raymond King Sr and Elinor (Nell) Rosen King and his wife Nancy Spencer King. He is survived by his daughter Susan (Pat) Carey, son Jeff (Wendy) King, grandchildren Ben Carey (fiancé Carolyn), Leah Carey (fiancé Ned), Alexandra King, Morgan King, Nicholas King, Samantha King, brother John (Feather) King, brother-in-law David (Sandy) Spencer, numerous nieces/nephews and great nieces/nephews and partner Betty Scott. The one joy Chick will be missing in the short-term is the birth of his first great grandson in March!
We would like to thank all the staff and caretakers at the Village at Penn State and the Atrium and all of Chick’s close and treasured
Acacia friends of 65 years for bringing so much joy and help to Chick and Nancy’s lives. We especially recognize the love and caring of Veda Kay and John Black over the last few years.
Friends will be received on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 1pm - 2pm at the Haky/Georgiana Centre County Funeral Home, 1034 Benner Pike, State College. Internment and a Celebration of Life will be planned for this summer in Philadelphia.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Village at Penn State Residents Annual Fund which recognizes Village at Penn State employees’ hard work and compassionate care by providing bonuses. Please forward donations made payable to Residents Annual Fund in memory of Chick King and send to Jim Scott, Village at Penn State, 237 Lions Hill Rd., State College, PA 16803.
An online guestbook may be signed and condolences left for the family at www.hakygeorgianafh.com