Dr. James Dawson King, of Beaumont, departed this life on Sunday, January 5, 2014, surrounded by his loving family at his gorgeous home that he meticulously created to his high expectations and dearly loved. He was born on July 27, 1946, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Jim played football and graduated from Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. He graduated from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and graduated with honors. He went on to graduate from The University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis with his Doctorate of Medicine. He completed his Internship at St. Joseph Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and his residency in Radiology at The Methodist Hospital in Memphis. He also completed training in Radiologic Pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C. Jim was a proud member of The Phi Chi Medical Fraternity, the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society, and The American Board of Radiology. He began his career in Radiology in 1977 when he was recruited to Beaumont, Texas, by St. Elizabeth Hospital, where he joined Radiology Associates. Jim was highly innovative in his practice of Radiology. He performed numerous interventional procedures, brought the first CT scan to Beaumont, was instrumental in bringing MRI to the area, and purchased the first PET scanner in the area. Jim practiced with Radiology Associates until 1996 when he and Dr. Brent Mainwaring formed Advanced Imaging Associates. It was there that Jim was the Medical Director, and they were responsible for all radiology practice at the former HealthSouth Diagnostic Center here in Beaumont. Jim received numerous Radiology awards including Radiologist of the Year and also was selected by his peers as one of The Best Doctors in America 2001-2002. Jim was highly respected amongst his peers and colleagues in the area. He loved to teach and was a very generous doctor, always there to help anyone regardless of their ability to pay or lack of insurance. Jim retired from the practice of radiology at the end of 2005.

Jim had a passion for cars, fountain pens, cycling, and completed many triathlons.

He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife, Shayne; his adored daughter, Claire of Memphis, Tennessee; his siblings, Joe and Yvonne; his mother and father-in-law, Connie and Dr. George Zuzukin; sister-in-law, Shayla Zuzukin; niece, Beverly; nephew, J.B.; and his beloved Bengal kitty cats, Rambo and Gianni. In addition, he is survived by his special friends, Clarence DeCuir, Brian Sutton, Britt Gober, Kevin Kearns, Maryann Fiorenza, and the General Michael Cokinos Family, whom he felt were his true parents and siblings. He also is survived by his devoted caregiver, Gail Joubert, who was with him until the end.

He is predeceased by his parents, Evelyn Louise Walker King and J.B. King; and his “second mom,” Carolyn Palermo.

The family would like to thank Dr. Sidney Marchand, Dr. Kurt Lee, Dr. Qamar Arfeen, and the entire staff of Harbor Hospital and Harbor Hospice, and a special thank you to Dr. Rob McConnell.

There will be a celebration of a wonderful and well lived life at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2014, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont, with a reception to follow at Broussard’s Centre, 1775 Calder Avenue Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of James Dawson King, M.D. for the benefit of radiology technician students at Lamar Institute of Technology, P. O. Box

10085, Beaumont, Texas 77710, http://advancement.lamar.edu/scholarships or to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.