Vince King
1952- 2024
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Arthur Vinson “Vince” King on June 30, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Vince joined our society in 1997 as member No. 3231.
I knew Vince as a sophisticated and knowledgeable collector, a creative exhibitor, an outstanding researcher, a gifted and inspiring speaker, a generous supporter of philately and a man of considerable humility and kindness. He was a good friend to all who had the good fortune to know him.
Vince was born Sept. 27, 1952, in McKinney, Texas, a fifth-generation Texan. He was reared in Commerce and later Nacogdoches, Texas, where he graduated from Nacogdoches High School.
After high school graduation, he attended Texas A&M University, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. Vince was a proud second-generation Aggie, alongside his father and brother. He was a member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Squadron 4, and served as an executive officer on group staff. He was a member of the class of ’75.
Located in Denton, Texas, Vince enjoyed a successful career as an entrepreneur with his company Entech Design Inc., which manufactured and installed his patented sonar system for coalfired power plants and industrial sonar equipment for water and wastewater treatment facilities.
Vince’s long-time friend, Richard C. Frajola, prepared a heart-warming tribute to him, one that I believe captures the essence of Vince as a philatelist and as a loving human being. The tribute can be found on Richard’s website at www.rfrajola.com/king.htm. It is reproduced here with Richard’s permission for the benefit of the Civil War Philatelic Society membership.
“I came to know Vince King over the last 20 years as one of the most dedicated philatelists I have had the pleasure of working with. His passion for philately, and his engagement with others who shared his passion was evident to anyone who had the privilege of knowing him. This passion was not confined to his personal collection; he generously shared his expertise and experience with fellow collectors, nurturing a love for philately in many.
“His dedication to the art and science of philately was unparalleled. Over the years, he became one of the most distinguished philatelic exhibitors, earning numerous accolades and awards. His exhibits were not just displays of rare and exquisite postal history; they were meticulously curated narratives that captivated and educated audiences. Each exhibit was a testament to his research, his eye for detail and his profound respect for the historical and cultural significance of philately.
“Beyond his achievements in philately, Vince King was a man of kindness, integrity and humility. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, offer words of wisdom or simply share a good conversation. His warmth and generosity touched the lives of many.”
“Vince King, may you rest in peace. Your philatelic legacy will forever remain etched in our hearts and in the pages of philatelic history. Thank you for all of your support of the ‘Rendezvous’ form of philatelic gathering.”
King’s Texas Under Six Flags exhibit may be viewed at https://www.rfrajola.com/VKweb/VKWeb.htm and on the CWPS website at https://www.civilwarphilatelicsociety.org/resources/ collections-and-exhibits-2/.
Vince King’s Champion of Champions-winning exhibit, In the Beginning … Timbromanie, The Proliferation of Postage Stamps Inspires a Collection Revolution, may be viewed at https://www. rfrajola.com/Tim/Tim.htm.
Not mentioned by Richard was Vince’s many contributions to the hobby, including his generous financial support for multiple philatelic organizations. One contribution of particular relevance to Civil War-related philately stands out. Vince was a member of the Council of Philatelists of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum (NPM) during the creation and the launch of the William H. Gross Gallery. As such, along with fellow CWPS members Trish Kaufmann and Tom Lera, Vince signed the gallery’s structure beams. Subsequently, Vince donated $250,000 to the NPM, which allowed the purchase of the “Lost Plate,” the De La Rue printing plate captured off the Bahamas while unsuccessfully running the blockade. The plate is the center of a display of three dimensional objects in the Gross Gallery.
Vince, thank you for everything you have done for philately, for being a gracious and loving human being and for being my friend. You will be sorely missed but you will never be forgotten.
Daniel M. Knowles