THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 19, 1995 TAG: 9504180084
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
THE PHRASE ``March Madness'' has real meaning for Lewis F. King Jr.
For him, it begins March 7 with his wife's birthday, followed by March 10, their anniversary, followed by March 11 with two children's birthdays (four years apart) - and finally ending with his birthday, March 23.
``It's a busy, busy, busy time,'' King says.
And after a month of celebrating, King, a high-speed equipment mechanic at Gwaltney of Smithfield Ltd., says he's ready for life to return to normal.
For King, that means after working his shift at the packing plant he heads for the baseball field at Smithfield High School, where he volunteers as a varsity coach. His son, Stephen, plays shortstop.
``I've been volunteering as a coach at Smithfield High School for the last two years. I'm just a real sports nut. I've always been involved in sports, and they need the help.
``And, I like being around kids.''
Name: Lewis F. King Jr.
What brought you to Isle of Wight? Born and raised here.
Hometown: Battery Park
Birthdate: March 23, 1951
Occupation: Mechanic of high-speed packaging at Gwaltney of Smithfield Ltd.
Marital status: Married
Children: April Dawn King and Stephen Lewis King
Favorite movies: ``Forrest Gump'' and any action movie
Favorite magazine: Popular Mechanics and Rush Limbaugh's newsletter
A book you wish everyone would read, and why: The Bible. It has the answers for all questions in life.
Favorite night out on the town: At Christmas time, we love to see the decorative houses with family and friends and then go out to eat afterwards.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Outback Steakhouse. I love a good steak!
Favorite food and drink: Steak and Mountain Dew
Few people know . . . that I always wanted a career in coaching.
Worst habit: I'm always in a hurry, and I never have enough time to finish things at home.
Pets: Brittany spaniel, Pete
Hobbies: Coaching, watching and playing sports
Ideal vacation: A week at Nags Head, doing nothing but sitting on the beach and playing golf.
Pet peeve: Children or teenagers with major attitudes and those who don't respect their elders.
First job: Gas station attendant at an Esso station, age 15.
Worst job: None. I've only had two jobs in my life.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Keeping my marriage alive for 22 years and having two great children.
What would you like as your epitaph? ``A Caring Husband and Father.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB