CHARLESTON – Longtime Kanawha Circuit Judge Charlie King has died. He was 73.
King, who also served Kanawha County Prosecutor, died December 28.
King had been a circuit judge since 1988. He was Chief Circuit Judge several times, including most of 2020. Before that, he served as a prosecutor from 1973 until he was elected County Prosecutor in 1984.
“Today, Kanawha County has lost one of its best and brightest,” Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said. “Judge King served the citizens of Kanawha County for more than 47 years. Through his lifelong dedication to the justice system – both during his time on the bench and as a prosecuting attorney – Charlie King impacted thousands of lives.”
Carper, who also is an attorney, said King was one of his best friends.
“My wife, Debbie, and I will miss him dearly,” Carper continued. “My thoughts and prayers are with his his wife Phyllis, and his daughters Amy and Stacy during this difficult time.”
Commissioner Ben Salango, also an attorney, praised King as well.
“Judge King epitomized what it meant to be a judge,” he said. “He was respected and revered by every person that had the honor to appear in his courtroom. Today is a sad day for Kanawha County.
“My wife, Judge Tera Salango, and I send our sincere condolences to Judge King’s family.”
Outgoing County Commissioner Hoppy Shores echoed those sentiments.
“Judge King was a wonderful person and a great friend; he will be missed,” Shores said. “Bronson and I are keeping his family in our prayers.”
Commissioner-elect Lance Wheeler agreed.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Judge Charles E. King Jr.,” he said. “His long-standing dedicated service to the judicial system and citizens of Kanawha County is to be respected and recognized.
“My wife Jessica and I are keeping his family in our prayers during this difficult time.”
State Supreme Court justices hailed King.
“Judge King had a long and distinguished career and helped lead the Kanawha County Circuit Court through the COVID-related challenges this year as Chief Judge," Chief Justice Tim Armstead said. "I extend my deepest sympathy to his family and colleagues."
Retiring Justice and former Kanawha Circuit Judge Margaret Workman said she was sorry to hear of King's death.
"He was the prosecuting attorney when I was a circuit court judge in Kanawha County, and I really enjoyed working with him," Workman said. "He had a great legal mind and wonderful sense of humor, and he was a very good person.
"His many years of public service as prosecutor and judge were his life's work, and he will be greatly missed. My sympathies go out to his family and many friends.”
Soon-to-be Chief Justice Evan Jenkins agreed.
“Judge King was a giant in the legal community and such a respected judge on the bench by those who appeared before him in court," Jenkins said. "We are so saddened by this news and want his family to know just how much he was respected for his years of public service."
Justice John Hutchison, a former Raleigh Circuit Judge, called King a friend and colleague for more than 25 years.
"His death creates a significant void in the judicial system in the state of West Virginia," Hutchison said. "Judge King was a leader in the judicial system and was noted for his intellect and good humor. He definitely will be missed by all the judges who had the opportunity to work with him. I send my sincere condolences to his family."
Attorneys and other judges also praised King.
“Judge Charlie King was one of the most engaging, intelligent and experienced trial court judges in West Virginia,” Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva said in a social media post. “He often took side (bench) arguments (outside of earshot of jury) in a break room in the back where he paced and smoked and LISTENED to the lawyers. He was always listening.
“Some of my best experiences as a trial lawyer happened in his courtroom early in my career. He made me a better lawyer EVERY time I appeared before him.”
Kanawha Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit said King leaves a “tremendous legacy” of public service both as a prosecuting attorney and as a judge.
“I was privileged to practice before him as a lawyer and honored to serve with him on the bench,” Tabit wrote in a social media post. “Loved a lot of things about Judge King, but I think the thing I loved most is that he always called me ‘Jo.’
“Prayers for his family, his work family and his many friends.”
King was a native of Charleston and a graduate of George Washington High School. He had a 1970 accounting degree from West Virginia University and a 1973 law degree from West Virginia University College of Law. After college, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was later discharged with the rank of Captain.
