Gilbert Lee King, Jr.
December 26, 1933 - April 30, 2017
Gilbert “Toby” Lee King, Jr., 83, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 30, 2017, with family by his side, after a swift battle with colon cancer and complications from chemotherapy. In his last few weeks Toby talked with many of his friends and relatives sharing memories and the dreams he has for his family.
Toby was born December 26, 1933, in Washington, D.C. to Gilbert and Elsie (Courtney) King. He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his daughters, Sue Cannaday King; his parents; and his brother, Carl Thomas King.
Survivors include his wife Peggy; his two daughters Cheryl Waybright of Smyrna, GA, and Malinda Sibille of Griffin, GA; sons-in-law Tony Waybright and Keith Sibille; four grand children, Marshall Waybright, Courtney Waybright, Lee Sibille, and Madelaine Sibille; his brother and sister-in-law Charles and Diane King; his brother-in-law, Jesse Cannaday; two step-sons, Mike and Mark Showalter, Mark’s wife Juanita and their sons Scotty and Danny; as well as other relatives and friends.
Toby graduated from Fairfax High School in 1952 and since then, maintained close ties with members of his graduating class and his teammates from the varsity basketball and baseball teams. Toby joined the Navy in 1953, received the National Defense Service medal while serving on the USS Pillsbury DER-133, and was honorably discharged in January 1957. He earned under graduate degrees from Ferrum College and Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary (now VCU) and later earned a Masters of Education from George Washington University.
On March 6, 1961, Toby married Sue Cannaday at Ferrum College’s chapel in Ferrum, Virginia. In 1963, Toby started teaching biology and physical education at Lanier Middle School in Fairfax. In 1966 he transferred to Frost Middle School where he taught and was head of the physical education department until he retired in 1987. Certain astronauts, NFL, NBA, Olympians, and MLB players can claim to have passed through his gymnasium. In addition to teaching, Toby loved horses and owned Oak Springs Farm in Clifton, Virginia, where he bred and raced thoroughbreds and operated a boarding stable until he sold the farm in 1995 and moved to Harrisonburg.
Toby and Peggy were married April 20, 1996, and resided in Harrisonburg ever since. Toby was an avid golfer having been a member of Cedar Crest and Chantilly Country Clubs and most recently, a member of Shenvalee Golf Resort. Toby was a member of the Centreville Volunteer Department since 1953 having served in multiple roles on the board including President in addition to actively fighting fires and responding to calls. He was a member of the American Legion for over 50 years, and a member of the Elks Lodge. Toby was very proud to be a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas, Virginia, for over 70 years having joined April 2, 1944.
Visitation will be held at Kyger Funeral Home on Friday, May 5, 2017, from 3:30 pm until 5:30 pm at 3173 Spotswood Trail, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. A celebration of life service will immediately follow at 7:00 pm (prelude at 6:30), at First Church of the Brethren, 315 S. Dogwood Drive Harrisonburg, VA 22801, Pastor Beth Jarrett will officiate. All who knew Toby are welcome; a light meal will follow.
The gravesite service will occur at Stonewall Memory Gardens on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at 11:30 a.m.. Pastor Rudy Tucker of Grace United Methodist Church in Manassas will officiate. Stonewall Memory Gardens is located at 12004 Lee Hwy, Manassas, VA 20109. Immediately following, all are welcome to the Centreville Volunteer Fire House for a light meal and telling of Toby tales. CFD is located at 5856 Old Centreville Rd, Centreville, VA 20121.
Because Toby was caught by surprise with a diagnosis of stage four colon cancer – with no warning – the family would prefer in lieu of flowers, that tributes in the form of donations be made to The Colon Cancer Alliance in memory of Toby so that others may benefit from better education and earlier diagnoses. You can reach his Blue Star Tribute page at this web address: http://support.ccalliance.org/goto/TobyKing. The family thanks you in advance for your generosity to help knockout colon cancer. [Funeral Home announcement]