Southampton native Truman Powers King of Kenwood, California, died on December 5 at his home after a bout with cancer. He was 79.
Born during the Great Depression, he helped operate the family farm, which is now known as North Sea Farms, when he was in his teens. He served in the Korean War, and after being honorably discharged he married Elizabeth McNamara of Bridgehampton in 1955.
In 1956 he followed his passion for baseball and became an umpire for the minor league, umpiring the games of such notables as Satchel Paige, Carl Yazstremski, and Jim Kaat.
During the 1960s he and his wife established a home delivery oil business under the name King Fuel Oil. Active in the community through youth sports, he coached Little League, Babe Ruth, and Catholic Youth Organization basketball throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1988, he retired and moved to the Napa Valley area for the warmer weather and scenic views, and found himself applying his love of gardening toward growing grapes. His merlot grapes were purchased by some of the local award-winning wineries under the name Truman’s Estate.
His community involvement continued into his retirement as he sponsored trips to San Francisco Giants games for local youth and helped to finance projects for his local church.
He is survived by a daughter, Peggy Fezza of Water Mill; two sons, Thomas King of Rockville Centre and Timothy King of Pennsylvania; two brothers, Richard King of North Sea and Calvin King of Pennsylvania; and three grandchildren. His wife, Elizabeth King, and an older brother, Sam King, predeceased him.
Interment was at Sonoma Veterans Cemetery beside his wife.
on Dec 15, 2008