Tom King

John Thomas King, Sr (born 1923 in Adamsville - died January 24, 2007) was an attorney and Alabama state senator.

King was raised in Adamsville and graduated from law school at the University of Alabama. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II and entered private practice. From 1952 to 1953 he was the assistant U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.

In 1961 King ran as a moderate for mayor of Birmingham against Art Hanes. He campaigned on economic issues and was considered a moderate on race issues who would seek to defuse the standoff between white segregationists and blacks seeking civil rights. Local industry did not appreciate his dim view of the city's business landscape, but he did win the endorsement of The Birmingham News. He lost the 1961 mayoral election 21,133 to 17,385. He ran unsuccessfully again in the special election of 1963.

From 1962 to 1984, King served as Alabaster's city attorney. In 1971 he was elected to the Alabama Senate, where he served a four year term.

King was a member and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Birmingham, having transferred his membership from Huffman Baptist Church.

King died in January 2007. He was survived by sons Alan, Tom, and David. Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church of Birmingham.

References

• Norris, Toraine (January 25, 2007) "Tom King, moderate 1961 mayoral hopeful, dies at 83." Birmingham News.