Willard Thomas “Tommy” King
September 16, 1948 – December 27, 2021
It is with great sadness that NEFAR has learned of the sudden and unexpected death of long-time REALTOR® Willard Thomas “Tommy” King. Mr. King passed away at his Palatka home on December 27, 2021.
Putnam County REALTORS® and friends are invited to the Palatka Moose Lodge on Friday, April 22 to attend a memorial service and celebration of Mr. King’s life. The Moose Lodge is located at 3875 Reid St. in Palatka, and the service will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided. No RSVP or membership is required, just stop by.
A native of Palatka, Mr. King graduated from Palatka High School and attended St. Johns River Junior College. After owning a bar in Palatka and managing jewelry stores in both Florida and Iowa, Mr. King entered the real estate industry as an agent working for Simpson Realty, Keven Durscher Realty, and Modern Realty of Putnam, Inc., where he worked since 2012.
A huge Gator fan who adored watching college football and basketball, Mr. King thoroughly enjoyed working in real estate and relished the opportunity it gave him to meet people. A man who “never met a stranger,” he had an easygoing nature and ever-present smile, which was evidenced by the fact that he had many close friends in the Palatka area.
“During his early career he worked primarily with vacant land putting together land-home packages. When he joined Modern Realty, he moved into residential sales becoming a top producer,” said Larissa Ricketts-Owens, owner/broker of Modern Realty of Putnam, Inc. "Every agent loved working with him as witnessed by all the calls and emails I have received over the last three months. He is so very missed by me, and everyone who knew him.”
Mr. King is survived by his companion of eight years, Denise Nakanishi of Palatka and Hilo, Hawaii; a daughter, Lisa Edwards, and a grandson, Joshua Edwards of Jacksonville.
