John F. King, a longtime USC board member and alumnus who was a giant in the financial services and banking industry and later led the nonprofit Weingart Center Association, died March 18 in Pasadena. He was 91 years old.
Known for his leadership as Chairman and CEO of the World Trade Bank, Mr. King held numerous positions in banking and finance during his decades-long career. He also served as president and CEO of the Weingart Center, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive homeless assistance services to individuals living on the streets of downtown Los Angeles.
King earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the USC Marshall School of Business in 1958 and served on the USC Board of Trustees since 1981.
“John King has faithfully supported and guided our Trojan community for more than 65 years,” said USC President Carol Folt. “Civically minded and compassionate, he touched the lives of many Californians both as a business leader and as a humanitarian dedicated to the well-being of the most vulnerable. We appreciate John's compassion. I will never forget the spirit of
“John was a dedicated Trojan whose care and dedication to the community was amazing,” said USC Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Nora Johnson. “He was a dear friend and colleague to many members of our board of directors. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
In addition to his many years of service on the USC Board of Governors, Dr. King served as chairman of the Alumni Committee's Class of 2008 50th Anniversary Endowment. Mr. King's guidance ensured that the Class of '58 achieved his goal of raising $100,000 for the President's Dinner. A room in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center. He also helped expand the class gift initiative, allowing the committee to raise an additional $65,000 to support the Widney Alumni Association.
John F. King's career in finance
A native of Chicago, King completed his undergraduate studies at USC and earned a master's degree in finance from New York University. He worked for his 20 years at his company of manufacturers in New York City and his trust in Hanover.
In 1975, Mr. King joined First Interstate Bank of California. Five years later, he became president and chief operating officer, and in 1985 became chairman of the bank.
After briefly serving as vice chairman and director of Crocker National Corporation and Crocker National Bank, he joined the World Trade Bank in 1987 as chairman and CEO. Mr. King recognized the potential for growth in the Pacific Rim, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses, as reflected in the New York Times article announcing his new role.
“If we think about global economic growth, we need to look to the Far East,” he told the paper, adding: “There are huge opportunities for growth.” This is your chance to build something for yourself. ”
In addition to his work at the World Trade Bank, Mr. King has held positions in the financial and industrial fields, including as a senior advisor at Swiss Union Bank, a director at Kilroy Realty Finance, and a director at Ameron International, a multinational manufacturer. He has held various leadership positions. He sells products and materials for the industrial, transport and energy sectors.
John F. King: Giving Back
Mr. King also served as a director of the California Hospital Medical Center Foundation, director of the National Transplant Foundation, and founding chair of Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena.
He joined Weingart Center in 1996 as president and CEO. This nonprofit organization aims to break the cycle of homelessness by providing resources and hope to individuals living in Los Angeles' Skid Row neighborhood. The agency provides transitional housing and community-based programs that include comprehensive services such as case management, substance use treatment, medical and mental health support.
Dr. King's family followed his example of service. “We both loved helping others and were always volunteering in different ways,” said his daughter Tamra King MFA ’90. “My mother and father instilled in us a civic spirit, a sense of 'there but for the grace of God go I.'”
In the early 2000s, Mr. King worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District to help oversee the development of a new adult employment and education center. His $2.3 million project on San Pedro Street established free access to math, English, reading, computer classes and job training programs. The center also housed the Weingart Center's Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty and offered employment assistance.
“If we can give homeless people a basic education and strengthen worker skills so they don't fall back into unemployment and homelessness, we may be able to make a difference,” King said in an article in the Los Angeles Times. Stated.
King's wife, Pam, passed away in 2020. King is survived by his four children, Tamra King, Janine Boyle '88, Christine Kasabian '94, and John Jr. MBA'03, and seven grandchildren, Lauren, Spencer, and Connor Boyle. thomas king. and Jack, Elizabeth and Charlie Kasabian.
