James "Jim" King was born in Flint, Michigan on January 28, 1950 to Gene Lorraine and Ralph King. He had three older siblings, Jerry, Margarette and Bonnie.
Jim was raised on a working farm in Goodrich, Michigan. He owned his own horses and enjoyed caring for them. He was also a boy scout and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
After graduating High School, Jim worked for General Motors. Against his father's wishes Jim joined the Marine Corps due to the job market at the time. This was a defining moment in his life and he enjoyed the Marine Corps immensely. So much so that he re-enlisted after his first tour of duty as well as meeting Linda Hoole is future spouse. They married on September 20, 1975.
After earning the rank of Sergeant, Jim obtained an Honorable Discharge and became a Deputy for the Oakland County Sheriff's Department. On September 28, 1977 his first child Suzanne Beatrice King was born.
Jim attended Oakland County Community College full time as well as Started building his first home. At this time John Charles King was born on October 8, 1978. Jim worked for the Oakland County Sheriff's Department for 13 years.
Jim worked various security jobs while applying for the U.S. Mint in San Francisco, California. Once hired by the U.S Mint, Jim worked there until transferring to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth, Texas in January of 1994.
In November of 2002, Jim transferred to the U.S Mint at West Point in New York and worked there until his death on November 4, 2007