He was born April 17, 1922 in Bath, Maine to the late Howard and Vera King; he came to the area in 1986 from Maine. He was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, serving in the U.S. Navy and retiring after 22 years of service with the U.S. Air Force. He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of the U.S. American Legion, V.F.W. and Krew of Rex.

Ernest was preceded in death by his first wife, Lilla Blackwell King in 1980; nine brothers and sisters; and two step-daughters, Victoria Androsky and Christina Kurk. Survivors include his wife, Deanna King; daughter, Patricia King of Brunswick; sons, Howard Melcher-King (Judith) of Rangeley, ME and Ernest “Skip” King, Jr. (Jeanne) of Portland, ME; and three grandchildren, Matthew King, Meagan King and Adina Baseler (Eric).

A celebration of life services will be held in Nalcrest and in Maine at a later date. Ernest will be inurned at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta, Maine.