Charles “Mane” V. King, 61, of the Syracuse area, passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 17th. Born in Marengo County and raised in Uniontown, Alabama, Charles was a 1978 graduate of Uniontown High School. He attended George C. Wallace State Community College in Selma, AL and resided in Decatur, AL, before moving to Syracuse in 1992.
Charles has been employed by SUNY Upstate University for over 20 years. Prior to that, he was a former employee of Marcellus Casket Company. Charles enjoyed fishing, playing chess, and spending quality time with his lady and his family. He loved traveling, watching movies, and was an avid fan of the Crimson Tide.
He was predeceased by a brother, Ralph A. Gay, in 1992 and by his step-father, Ralph Gay, in 2019.
Charles is survived by his fiancé and longtime companion, Alma Miller; his parents, Ollie Gay of Garfield Heights, OH and Verna Thomas of Birmingham, AL; three children: Olajuwon "Won" Sledge of Kannapolis NC, Ameenah Sledge of Mooresville, NC and Amr (LaTonya) Sledge, Sr. of Syracuse; siblings: Valerie (Tony) Bogan of Macedonia, OH, Von (Amie) Gay of Garfield Heights, OH, Cassandra Gay of Phoenix, AZ, and Yvonne Fowler-Gay of Sheffield Village, OH; his last living aunt/friend/sister, Sharon (Samuel) Miles and their daughter, Samara Miles of Decatur, AL; his special cousin, Anna (Harold) Howell of San Diego, CA, with whom he was raised; 9 grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call Thursday from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Krueger Funeral Home, 2619 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale, with Services following at 7:00 pm. Burial will be in Sidney Chapel Cemetery, Counsel, Alabama.