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James King Obituary

King, James

Jim played in the CSBL for a couple of years around 2003-2006. He was a big, burly power forward type fellow who was very jovial and friendly.  Jim suffered a heart attack during a CSBL game.  During a timeout, he was walking to the drinking fountain and suddenly collapsed by the scorer’s table which in those days was on the locker room side of the gym.  He went into complete cardiac arrest.  Dan DiGiacomo and Geoff Coufal performed CPR and the school custodian brought down the AED (defibrillator ) which was able to restart his heart.  The paramedics took him to the hospital where he had either stents or bypass procedure.  Jim actually returned to play one more season in the CSBL before retiring.  

HILTON – Jim grew up in Salem, Ohio, the youngest of four boys to parents, Dr. Lowell and Letha Mae King. He later attended Kalamazoo College, in Michigan, where he met his future wife, Lynne O. Jackson. Jim graduated with a bachelor’s degree, in economics, in 1973. The couple married in the summer following their graduation. Jim continued his education attending Bowling Green State University, and receiving his MBA. Jim and Lynne moved several times within Upstate New York, until settling in Bethlehem, N.Y., so that Jim could pursue a job opportunity, with the State University of New York. In 1984, Jim helped launch and lead the New York Small Business Development Center (SBDC), where he served as its executive director, until his retirement, in 2017. For more than four decades, Jim lead the NY SBDC, and its response to both local and national needs. From economic recovery efforts, following the September 11th attacks, to supporting small businesses in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Jim and Lynne moved in recent years to Hilton, N.Y., in order to be closer to their grandchildren, and live along the shore of Lake Ontario. Jim’s professional achievements were no less impressive than his dedication as a husband, father and grandfather. Jim acted as a source of guidance to his children, of joy to his grandchildren and a life partner to his wife. His love for his family was measured in bear hugs, laughter and endless stories.

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.

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

Friends are invited to meet the family, for calling hours, Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Paul W. Harris Funeral Home, 570 Kings Highway S., Rochester, N.Y. 14617.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.