Tazwell Aubrey King, Jr.

Tazwell Aubrey King, Jr., 82, entered into eternal rest on his birthday in the early morning of Wednesday, September 28, 2022, in his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born on September 28, 1940 in Ridgeland, SC to his loving parents, the late Tazwell Aubrey Sr. and Annie Mae King.

Aubrey graduated from Brookland Cayce High School in 1958. During his junior year, he met the love of his life, Vivian Selman King. They began dating in their senior year and were voted “Most Attractive Couple” for their senior superlatives. Aubrey developed a reputation for being an impeccable dresser early on, often wearing his nicest slacks while working his first job at Zesto’s in West Columbia.

 After graduating, Aubrey went to both Brevard and the University of South Carolina very briefly. Realizing that college wasn’t for him, he began working at Binswanger Glass Company in Columbia, SC. In 1961, Aubrey and Vivian married at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Cayce, SC. Just one year later, Aubrey enlisted in the Air National Guard and worked a few odd jobs before being hired on full time at McEntire Joint National Guard Base as an Air Traffic Controller. After 35 years in the service, Aubrey retired as Chief Master Sergeant and Tower Chief. He also received numerous commendations and medals for his service, including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. In the McEntire Tower, Aubrey was known for his calm, cool, and collected demeanor, especially in tense situations. He had a remarkable work ethic, was considered a savant with numbers, was highly respected among his peers and superiors, and was a valuable asset to his team.

 Aubrey was well known in the West Columbia and Cayce area as a local entrepreneur and business owner. Over several decades and while still working at McEntire Air Base, Aubrey opened several businesses including Toter Mobile Homes, CarBrite Car Wash, Sun Fun Tan Spa, Video Warehouse, Taz’s Deli, Aubrey’s Antique Store, and The Kingsman Restaurant, which has been a cornerstone in the Cayce community since 1972. A special passion of Aubrey’s was making things beautiful, especially while working outdoors. He spent hours carefully cultivating his personal garden and taking care of many other outdoor spaces. His energy was endless and he was never afraid to put in the necessary work to make his dreams a reality.

 Above all things, Aubrey adored his family. He was a loving husband to Vivian and a devoted father to his children, Cindy and Kevin. He cherished his four grandchildren, spending quality time with each one and taking extra care to make every family gathering special. He was a man full of life lessons, words of wisdom, and advice, which he freely and lovingly shared throughout his lifetime.

 Aubrey is survived by his wife, Vivian Selman King of Gilbert; his daughter, Cindy Tinman of West Columbia; and his son, Kevin King (Linda) of Gilbert; his four grandchildren, Jordan Tinman, Devin Guertin (Joey), Bailey King (Aaron), and Carson King; and three great-grandchildren, Graham, Charlie, and Avery June Guertin; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, Tazwell Aubrey King, Jr. and Annie Mae King; and his younger brothers, Wiley and Steve King.

 A Celebration of Life service for Aubrey, will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the Barr-Price Funeral Home, 609 Northwood Road, Lexington, SC. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Foundationhttps://www.hpcfoundation.org/online P O Box 151 Drayton, SC 29333 or to Parkinson’s Foundation, Inchttps://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2?10243.donation=form1&df_id=10243&mfc_pref=T 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800 Miami, FL 33131.

The family would like to thank everyone for their kindness, love, and generosity during this time. A special thank you to Aubrey’s kind and attentive angels: Clarissa at McLeod Home Health and our Agape Hospice Team, including Chaplain Mike, Tanya, Trisha, Aisha, and T’Kia.

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