Judith Ann "Judy" King, 77, of Columbia City, passed away at 10:50 a.m. on Thursday, August 14th, 2025, at Parkview Whitley Hospital.

She was born on February 12, 1948 in Fort Wayne Indiana to the late Billy J. and Florence A. (Bennett) Espich.  She attended Coesse Elementary School and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School.

On April 2, 1967, she was united in marriage to Dallas Wayne King.  They made their home in Columbia City.

Judy worked at Whitko Schools as a bus driver and then at the United States Post Office as a rural mail carrier.

A lifelong horse lover, Judy raised horses and participated in trail riding.   She enjoyed country ballroom dancing with her husband, Dallas, and in 1999 they tied for the world championship.  Judy enjoyed riding her bicycle and not only rode locally, but also rode from Miami to Fort Wayne and California to Fort Wayne, with her son.

Since retirement they traveled all around the world, her favorite place being Israel.  They also traveled to Hawaii and Alaska.  They lived in San Juan for two years and the U.S. Virgin Islands for one year.

She is survived by her loving husband of over 58 years, Dallas; her son Aaron DeWayne (Bambi) King; of Fort Wayne; sisters, Beverly Ann Ress of Kokomo and Marcia Ann (Danny) Zeigler of Churubusco; grandchildren, Savannah Layne Roth and Zoe Alexis King; great grandchildren, Zeppelin Curtis Roth, Lachlan Arthur Roth and Evren Kay Sezginer.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20th at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at the funeral home.

Memorials in Judy's honor are to Destiny Rescue.