Mr. Joseph Bertram King

Joseph Bertram King of Asheville passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, September 25 in the year of our Lord 2012 at Mission Hospital, following a valiant struggle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. "Bert" was 88 on his birthday, September 14, 2012. Born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1924 to parents Bertram Kerns King and Joseph A. King, Bert grew up in Asheville with his Mother and Grandmother. Following graduation from Lee H. Edwards High School, Bert entered World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps, and flying a C-47 paratrooper plane over the Battle of the Bulge. He received a "Decorated Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters." August 2, 1945, while home on military leave from war, Bert married his childhood sweetheart, Julia Nelson Hipps, who would remain his greatest love and inspiration throughout life. While on honeymoon in Highlands, N.C., they learned that the war had ended. Bert was now able to pursue his dream of becoming an architect, enrolling in the School of Architecture at N.C. State and graduating in 1949 with the Degree in Architecture and Engineering with Honors. Upon returning to Asheville, Bert was employed by Six Associates and by Lindsey Gudger before opening J. Bertram King Associates. From 1952 to 1994 Bert's Architectural signature expanded prolifically throughout Asheville, surrounding counties; as well as other cities in the state; including projects in Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Bert's architectural style was open, clean, timeless yet innovative, serene and elegant with beautiful modern detail. His manner was the personification of his art; the tall, graceful gait; elegant, light spirit and simplicity on the one hand; and yet, strict attention to organization and detail on the other. Although best known and loved for his residential designs, Bert nevertheless earned his principal income from the design of schools, churches, automobile dealerships, businesses, banks, medical offices, art centers, etc. He was the recipient of many honorary awards for architectural achievement: the Fellow Award from American Institute of Architecture; and in 1968, the Institute gave J. Bertram King Associates an award for the 1964 design of Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church and College Chapel. On his last trip home from a medical appointment, Bert remarked to his daughter-in-law, Barbara, that he had always admired a particular building they were passing. When she asked who designed the building, Bert said: "Danie Johnson." His love and respect for beauty were ever-present. Bert was a member of Central United Methodist Church, Chairman of Planning and Zoning Commission in Asheville in 1966; Vice-Chairman of Metropolitan Planning Board 1966-74; Board of Directors for United Fund; Design Foundation (1983-87); Past President of N.C. Architecture Board; President (1972) of Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and listed in Who's Who in America. Please go to internet to view 2011 interview of "Joseph Bertram King - Architect" by Kate Walker, conducted in Bert's living room. Bert was predeceased by his wife, Judy (2005) for whom he cared steadfastly throughout her many years with alzeimers. His older sister, Mary Jane King, died at age 5, and his oldest son, Allen Bertram King, died in 1999. Survivors are sons: Thomas Nelson King and David Gerald King (wife, Barbara) of Asheville. Special thanks to Dr. Rob Blackburn of Central United Methodist Church for officiating at a graveside service with family at Green Hills Cemetery on Friday, September 28. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of the fourth floor heart tower at Mission Hospital for excellent care and kindness. Thanks also to Mahec, Greentree, Dr. Matthew Hull, and Morris Funeral Home. Contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church, Black Mountain Home for Children, SPCA; ... or just cast a smile as you pass one of Bert's beautiful icons - He will be smiling back! "For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!" "When old age shall this generation waste, Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say' est, Beauty is truth, truth beauty, - that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." "Ode on a Grecian Urn," 1819 John Keats

Tributes

Mr. Joseph Bertram King

September 14, 1924 - September 25, 2012