By Dee Longfellow
If the weather in the area seemed dreary last week, it is likely because the world was made a little sadder after losing one of the bright shining stars of the local business world, as well as in the communities of Elmhurst and Villa Park.
Alex Richard King Jr. passed away March 29, 2022 at the age of 78. He was born on April 10, 1943 in Melrose Park, the son of the late Alex Richard King Sr. and Geraldine (nee Speno) King.
He was the beloved husband of 59 years to Karen (nee Vander Molen) King and the loving father of Kari (Tom) Duffy, Richard King and Robert (Robin) King.
Perhaps his favorite role in the family was as the loving and cherished “Papu” to his grandchildren Brianna, AJ, Paige, Alyssa, Paulie and Jake.
Alex was the dear brother of Deni (Dan) Fiock and Jill (Brian) Brunette; fond uncle of Spencer (Samantha) Fiock and Nick Fiock, and Kiel Brunette and Kory Brunette; and by many more family members as well as friends, tenants and business associates too numerous to count.
Alex was a real estate broker and founding partner of Stenzel, Polster and King Real Estate in Franklin Park. He began his business in 1972 and in 1976, King Construction, Inc., was incorporated as a builder of multi-family dwellings. It was located in the building that still remains at 140 W. St. Charles Road in Villa Park.
According to Andee Jorgensen, his long-time office manager and all-around right-hand person for 48 years, the business began as King Decorating, a painting contractor, and next door to them in the building was King Travel, operated by Alex’s sister Jill.
“At that time, we were building a lot of homes in Elmhurst as well as Birch Cove, [the apartment building] in Villa Park,” said Jorgensen. “He also built several townhomes called Nordic Park on Lake Street in Itasca.”
He worked closely with LW Reedy, partnering on several projects. He was a member of the Real Estate Board and was a real estate broker.
A lifelong learner
Alex was a lifelong learner. Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed collecting arrowheads and conducting archeological digs at the site of the Popham Colony in Phippsburg, Maine. He tried to manage a trip out to Popham every year.
He published a book about Popham Colony, written at the fifth-grade reading level, so that young students could understand about the area he loved so dearly. Alex often spoke to young people in school groups and Scout troops, and very much enjoyed that part of his life that he devoted as a commitment to the community.
He was member of both the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce. King Construction was once named the Villa Park Chamber’s Business of the Year.
Most of all, Alex was quick with a laugh and never too busy to sit down and offer wisdom to those who sought him for it. Alex took time for long talks about not only real estate, but also business in general, as well as history and philosophy. He kept a smile and a welcome face even when his health began to decline.
Services Friday, Saturday
There will be a celebration of Alex King’s life at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home—The Ahlgrim Chapel, 567 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst. A visitation will take place on Friday, April 8 from 3-8 p.m. and a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 9 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to The National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10016 would be appreciated. For funeral information, call 630-834-3515 or visit www.elmhurstfh.com.
Sunday, April 10, would have been his 79th birthday. And most will agree, Alex is, always was, and will always be The King.
