Luther Peyton "Pate" King, Jr.

Luther Peyton "Pate" King, Jr., 80, of Mullens, West Virginia, passed away on March 22, 2024. He was born on November 1, 1943, in Wytheville, Virginia.  Luther, known as "Pate" to his loved ones, was the youngest General Chairman elected to the United Transportation Union and he served more than 30 years representing UTU members in the Portsmouth, OH to Norfolk, VA area.

Pate served in the US Army as a paratrooper, with the 101st Airborne Division.  He was a life-long resident of Mullens, West Virginia and was a very active member of the community.  Pate was active in youth sports and dedicated his time to coaching little league baseball, high school football, and most notably he revived wrestling at both Mullens High School and Wyoming East High School.  In addition to youth sports, Pate was proud of his work on the Wyoming County Democratic Committee and a member of the Mullens Area Chamber of Commerce.  

In addition to his work with the UTU, Pate worked as a Brakeman on the Norfolk & Southern Railroad, following in his father, Luther’s footsteps.  

Pate is survived by his beloved wife, Evelyn "Kay" King, his daughter Pamela K Cook (Jeff), brother Stuart King, sister Susan Browning, grandchildren Alisha Kelley (Jessie), Hillary King (Caleb), Kaitlin Cook, Hannah Cook, Michael King, Makayla King, as well as great-grandchildren Charlotte, Myles, and Addison.

He was preceded in death by his son Michael Peyton King, mother Verna Mae Johnson King, and father Luther Peyton King, Sr.

A service in memory of Pate will be held on April 16, 2024, at The First Presbyterian Church of Mullens. Visitation is from 1 – 2 PM with services at 2PM.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802-1472, or online at https://hospiceofsouthernwv.org/donate or to The First Presbyterian Church of Mullens.