House Resolution 22

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MR. PERCY ALEHMAN "SNAKEMAN" KING, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Percy Alehman "Snakeman" King, to rest eternally, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the last child born to Reverend Leroy and Mrs. Lucille King, on July 20, 1960, the City of Jackson and the State of Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend and children's icon with the passing of Mr. King, affectionately known throughout the community as "Snakeman" on January 19, 2018, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan as he enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and

WHEREAS, it has pleased Almighty God to take unto Himself, our beloved Mr. King, too soon by our measure, but in the providence of the all-knowing divine, which does not diminish the profound benediction of a life lived in such a remarkably sincere and obedient walk with God, nor the admiration and affection for the example he established as a faithful and dependable servant; and

WHEREAS, a 1978 graduate of Jackson's Lanier High School, Percy's rapport within Jackson and surrounding area was of unparalleled proportion as an animal lover and caretaker, which blossomed into a passionate success and career as a zookeeper at the Jackson Zoo and an independent petting zoo operator, which afforded him the opportunity to travel all over the state to entertain children of all ages, young and old; and

WHEREAS, a talented violinist, Mr. King's fondness for animals began early on in life, when his mother allowed him to have a "mini zoo" in the family's backyard, which groomed Percy to become a self-taught animal aficionado with a broad knowledge base for the animals in his collection as well as those he worked with during his 14-year tenure with the Jackson Zoo from 1970-2011; and

WHEREAS, often in high demand, the "Snakeman" would make appearances as the highlight of countless birthday parties, festivals sponsored by various religious and civic groups, in addition to holding a standing appointment each October with the Mississippi State Fair, where he showcased his private menagerie of exotic animals and educated those who viewed his exhibit on animal facts and overcoming their phobias toward certain animals, particularly the reptiles; and

WHEREAS, acquiring the name "Snakeman" for the act of riding around the city in his green Dodge Caravan with a huge python inside coupled with his public love and collection of pet snakes, Mr. King, who served on the Jackson Zoo's Board of Directors, was a community and civic-minded Christian soldier, a champion of peace, who spent the vast majority of his life in a role of Good Samaritanship, as he tried to help anyone in need without expectation of recompense; and

WHEREAS, in his transfiguration from mortality to immortality, Mr. King now adorns the spiritual raiment, awaiting the bridegroom's return in holy anticipation of that wondrous event recorded in Revelation 21:1-2 - "And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband"; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to now stand upon the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mr. King's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member and renewed in their faith that Percy fulfilled the purpose of his appointed time in adherence to the commandment of II Timothy 4:7, by having "fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such a genuine, loving and selfless individual as Mr. King, whose life light illuminated the path of hope and sprinkled showers of joyous excitement for all he encountered along this earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life, legacy and service of Mr. Percy Alehman "Snakeman" King, to whose family we express sincere and deepest sympathy upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. King and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.