My Dad’s spirit left his body late this afternoon. He crossed over and joined my Mother and my brother Tim.
He struggled with a motor neuron disease, diagnosed in August. He quickly lost the ability to speak and to swallow. He understood his diagnosis and prognosis and continued to communicate with written notes and “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.” As of early fall, he was still walking outside with his walker.
My Dad wrote a note a week or so ago that said “I’ve had a good life, except for what happened to Tim.” His wife was an angel to him and he died at home, in his own bed on his own terms.
He was a warrior for justice for his son Tim. He conducted himself with dignity and just wanted the truth. He wanted someone in law enforcement to look him in the eyes and tell him the truth. He had such faith in law enforcement and in people doing the right thing until the awful, dawning realization that those in power deceived him and all of us and dishonored the child victims of the child killers in Oakland County. He was disrespected and lied to by prosecutors, judges, appellate judges, police chiefs, police and detectives. He did not back down but the obvious failures by these people and agencies were a deep wound on his soul. Yet he kept after it.
Thank you to those who tried to help advance his quest for justice for his son Tim. Thank you to those who supported him, even if just in spirit.
In his memory, if you could perform a random act of kindness in the next few days, this would help mitigate the treatment he received by Oakland County and the State of Michigan. The world could use a little kindness right now.
My Dad would have been 90 on March 11. He took the high road in the face of true evil. I am inspired by this and I hope you are, too.
So sorry for your family’s loss. I had the opportunity to meet your father a few years ago, and he was just wonderful. Sending many prayers and blessings!
My heart is broken reading this. A true gentleman beyond words. I had the honor and privilege of sitting with your father a year ago at a child advocacy function. He never stopped fighting for child victims of heinous unspeakable crimes. I admired your father in so many ways. A brilliant man, a gentleman, a warrior. I am deeply saddened that he did not live to see justice served.
Having known your wonderful family back in the day as neighbors and my children’s playmates, I am saddened to learn of your father’s passing. He certainly fought the good fight in dealing with the most horrible of tragedies. My deepest sympathy and condolences to you, Chris and Mark and your families.
Ann Martin
Thank you so much, Ann. My best to you and your family. Those were some happy days on Pembroke.
So sorry to hear about your dad,Cathy. He was a great man and will be missed. High time for LE to step up and honor your dad with an arrest in this case. May God bless your family.
Cathy;
So sorry about the news. My heart goes out to you and your brothers during these tough times. I met your dad once in 2012 during his presentation in Troy and he was very kind and courteous to me the brief time we talked. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Catherine, my deepest condolences to you and your brothers… your father fought the good fight, I hope you have some peace knowing he is reunited with your mother and Tim. Thank you, also, for all the incredible work you’ve done.
My sincerest condolences. It was my hope that Mr. King and the rest of your family could find some answers and maybe even find justice with the new prosecuting attorney and county executive in Oakland county, and that your family patriarch would live to see this finally. I’m praying for your family, as I always do whenever I hear about this case in the news, for peace, answers, and whatever unspoken is needed.
My sincerest condolences to all the King family on the passing of your father, Barry. He was a rock of integrity and an inspiration to all on how he fought the tireless battle for justice for your brother Tim and and all the children victims.
I pray that the answer to those crimes will be revealed in the near future to bring closure to the families and friends.
Bob K
I am So Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, Cathy. In my eyes, and those of many he was an inspiration and a True Hero. It will be an honor for me to preform a random act of Kindness in your Dad’s memory. Rest in Peace, Mr. King.
I am So Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, Cathy. In my eyes, and those of many he was an inspiration and a True Hero. It will be an honor for me to preform a random act of Kindness in your Dad’s memory. Rest in Peace, Mr. King.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a class act and was such an inspiration! I only wish he was able to find out who killed his son Tim and the other precious children who were murdered by the Oakland County Killers. Shame on those who know the truth and are silent.
What a lovely and tender goodbye to your dad.
I salute you and send love and a vision for more justice on this blue planet of ours.
Cathy,
Your dad has been heavy in my thoughts all year long. God bless his soul. I am sorry for your loss.
Your entire family is in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Robin
I am so very sorry Cathy. He never gave up fighting for Timmy. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy
Dear Cathy: My heart breaks for you and your family. I am so saddened to read this about your dad. I know the feeling that you have that he never got to see justice played out with Timothy’s case. Justice here on earth is either nonexistent or fleeting. Make no mistake, God knows it all. He brings justice in His way not ours. It doesn’t make it easier. My husband, who knows what it’s like to lose as son to murder, said maybe your dad will be able to do something from his new home in Heaven. It may just be that or he is happy just to see his boy again and this earth holds no desire now. May he Rest In Peace. My prayers are with you.
Jessie Kanehl
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My deepest condolences for you and your family. Your dad was so strong and steadfast over the years. Though I did not know him, I truly respected him from all I saw and read about him. I am so sorry for your loss and am tearful regarding your and your family’s loss. Prayers for you all ❤️
I am so sorry Cathy. Your dad even impressed me as a child when I would see him on TV- always, always a class act. He worked so hard for justice, and although he didn’t see resolution in his lifetime, the endless determination of your whole family to solve this case has resulted in exposing horrible people and crimes. That’s incredibly important and made the world a safer place.
Will be thinking of you all, and I imagine he is ruffling Timmy’s hair and talking hockey right now…
Please let us know if there is a charity that donations could go to in his honor.
Cathy-
I am so sorry to hear about this. What a beautiful tribute to your father.
Barry King shouldered the pain and the anger for all of us who grew up in Oakland County during those awful years. Steadfast, determined, resolute – he will always be remembered for his dogged determination to shake loose the truth on this awful affair. Mr. King was able to shed more light, uncover more dirt and call out the resulting cover up – finally exposing the police and prosecutors for the bad actors they were. To me, he is a hero. I always admired him for facing those obstacles and fears head on. He was such an inspiration to many who have agonized with you and your family and grieved at all that was lost.
I hope his spirit continues to shine a light forward for all of us, and illuminate the truth – finally.
RIP Mr King. You were a true example of never giving up, always attempting to do right, and a warrior for justice. As a father myself and a child growing up in the late 70’s early 80’s you were the man I hoped I would be if faced in similar horrible circumstances.
My thoughts and prayers to you, your son, and your family. I know the good Lord will be welcoming you home!
Cathy,
I can’t imagine the sorrow you are feeling at the loss of your Father. He was a warrior for the truth. God will hold him in the palm of his hand.
Love Georgia
Georgia McDaniel
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Thank you, Georgia; miss you. Love, C
My condolences for your loss
You all deserve so much more, but at least for your dad, he finally he has answers. The army of people you have amassed behind you with just the truth and humility is here to help in whatever way we can.
Such a beautiful tribute to your dad. I am inspired by him and especially by you. Sending you much love and peace. You and your brothers are in my heart. I look forward to being able to spend some time with you again- hopefully soon! xo
Love you, Jan.
Hey Cathy so sorry for you and all your family but I guess your Father finally found peace to be where he always wanted to be with your Mom and Tim again. Condolences to you and all your family I bet your Dad knows now who the OCCK is peace is finally achieved no matter how he got it he has it now, Peace be with you and may we all be at peace in this nightmare we all endured.
I’m so sorry for you and your family. He never stopped trying and was so fortunate to have you for a daughter and your brother as a son. My heart hurts that he passed never knowing the truth. He has joined Tim and your mom and they are rejoicing together. Sincere sympathies to you. 💕💕💕
Cathy & Family
So sorry to hear of your Dad Barry passing, he was more than a great guy. He had many great friends, my folks Tom & Grace loved going out or doing anything with the Kings. My first memory of Tiger Stadium was bleacher seats with Dads & sons, and then Tim was gone. It wasn’t fair & as you put so well it was a decades-long shock to faith in justice. Thank you for your eloquent words and Best to you & entire King family…
The old Tiger stadium! Now there’s something that made me smile. Thanks, Dave.
DAMN! That’s all I can say. Cathy, I like all of us, I am so for your loss. And in way by extension, the world lost a great man. In facing the darkest, most sickeningly twisted situations and adversity, your dad was THE example for bravery and fighting for what is right. If your dad can find the strength and will to keep pushing toward in THAT living hell he was put through, then we can in our lives. Remember him and try to draw from his strength and follow his example.
I never had the opportunity to meet your dad, but I kinda felt like I knew him from afar…even though I obviously didn’t. But he’s like all of our dads and grandpas and I always wanted to be able to just give him a hug and tell him what an amazing person he is.
I am happy that he is with your mom and Tim. Nothing can ever separate them again. And as you know, their light and love will always be with you and the family.
To a true example of man and human being…
Rest In Peace, sir.
Condolences, Cathy
He is and was a class act, all the way. Thank you for letting us know, Cathy. Your blog keeps MANY of us engaged with this case, as we should be. It matters.
Oh Cathy, I’m so sorry for your loss.
I really am. Be comforted knowing Tim, your mom, and you dad are together.
God bless you and your family.
Thank you, Terri for your words and for speaking truth years ago when others would not.
I’m going to perform random acts of kindness honoring your Dad for the rest of my days.
Love,
Rich
Thank you Rich. You are awesome. You are the person who made sure I remembered that kindness is magic. Much love.
Very sorry to hear about your Dad. Wish he could have been around to see all of this unfold which it will, eventually. Thoughts and prayers sending. Joe
You are right, Joe. Thank you for the reminder.
I am in shock. I am sorry to hear this. I adored your dad and it was always my fervent hope that he would live to see justice done. It pains me to know that that will now not happen. Whenever I would speak in Birmingham or at any men’s club event at various places, I would wonder if he would be there. I got used seeing him. I would always scan the crowd before I spoke and he was almost always there. Every single time I received an email from him about Tim, we would mobilize our investigative group and review everything again just to make sure that we had not missed anything. We will NEVER stop working on this case. I was just talking about him last week. You have my deepest condolences. Please keep in touch and I will do the same. Kym L. Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor
Prosecutor Worthy, what a remarkable and decent person you are. Thank you for your words and for all of the work you and your office have done in this case. It is beyond reprehensible that victims’ family members have had to push the MSP to follow up on leads. It is appalling that Wayne County, where Tim’s body was dumped (Livonia) has had to assume the lion’s share of the work in these serial murders. Although this case is known as the OAKLAND COUNTY child killer case, because all four victims were abducted from the streets of Oakland County and three of the victims dumped there, Wayne County has shouldered a monumental burden in trying to get to the truth. The budgets of the Oakland County sheriff’s office and prosecutor’s offices are massive and have never really absorbed the costs associated with this investigation. They were more than happy to have the case warehoused with the state police–who probably have budgetary concerns and handle this case like it is still 1977.
I know my Dad had great respect for you and your office, Prosecutor Worthy. We do, too.
You always returned my Dad’s calls and were never afraid to face crime victims and your office is far busier than most. Your office is hard-working, thinks outside of the box, and is transparent. Thank you again for your kind words. This isn’t over. The truth will out.
He was a quiet hero. Never gave up. A person to admire, and I do. Sherry Goldsmsith
I’m so sorry for your loss, and continue to hold your family in my heart. With deepest sympathy and profound respect.
We are all inspired by your dad, Cathy. Thank you.
Cathy, I am so sorry for your loss. Please give my condolences to your family. Your father was a champion for your brother and a shining example of what perseverance is.
Thanks very much, Amy.
Cathy,
I always saw your father as the living embodiment of “The man in the Arena..” from T Roosevelt famous speech…The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena… who strives valiantly… with great devotion…for a worthy cause… so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls.
Your father was a great man.
Much Love,
Ellen Denning Evans
To the King family:
I am so sorry to hear about your father. He was an amazing and brave person. No family should have had to endure what has happened to you.
I remember calling several years ago and bought Decades of Deceit. I spoke to your Dad for a few minutes. I told him that although I now lived in Naperville, Illinois, I had lived in Oakland County most of my life, mostly in Southfield and Birmingham.
Take care, and again, my condolences.
Catherine, this was a shock hearing your father’s passing. From what I know of your father from his and your writings was he was a tireless warrior. A true gentleman dedicated to a solitary mission in the face of cruel adversity. My sincere condolences got out to your family who will one day find justice for Tim and the many other children known and unknown this protected gang of beasts has murdered or grievously harmed. You have many, many brilliant and inspired people in your corner who like you will never let this go and keep pushing for these criminals and their accomplices to be dragged out into the light. For all culprits in that network to be finally exposed, publicly condemned and jailed with zero mercy.
I am very sorry for the loss of your Father.
I know he was a fighter for the truth. It saddens me that he left this world before truth and justice prevailed for Tim, your family and those other families who lived through the nightmare of the OCCK.
Thanks, Frank.
I am so sorry to read about the passing of your Dad. I admired the way he fought back against the corruption! I wish that he found the “definite” answers your family deserves!! God bless him and your family.
may his memory be a blessing. his spirit lives on in those who tirelessly fight for justice in all corners of society.
I am so very sorry, Cathy. This was a wonderful tribute to your beloved father. My heart goes out to you and to your brothers and to your loved ones.
Cathy im so sorry to hear this. Your dad was a wonderful and one of the nicest men i have had the pleasure to meet. im sorry i was delayed in seeing this.