Patricia Eileen King

Patricia graduated from McDowell High School and The Pennsylvania State University. She taught at Asbury Elementary School, Manchester Middle School in the Erie area and Loomis School in Newtown Square, PA. She earned her Master’s degree in Communications from the State University of New York in Albany. She launched a second career as Director, Video Development and Production at BDM International, Inc. in McLean, Virginia.  This proved to be a dream job. She worked across the United States and overseas. She produced the documentary, “First In, Last Out”, the story of the US Air Force Wild Weasel Fighter mission in Vietnam, winning an International Television Association award. During this project, the Air Force allowed her to fly in the back seat of an F4 Phantom fighter to observe Wild Weasel fighters on a training mission. For NASA she produced “The Hubble Space Telescope” video, included in the press package on the day of launch. It also won an international award. She was selected for Who’s Who in Video by Videography Magazine.

Patricia enjoyed memories triggered by looking at her photo albums. Favorite snapshots include Patti reporting while sitting on a camel in front of the Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt and another of Patti sitting on an elephant in Thailand. Peru to Paris, how she loved to travel!  A special photo shows Patrica in her flight suit interviewing a fighter pilot who would later become her husband. Faded photographs include two little King sisters and friends on Arlington Road forming bonds that would last. With those memories, Patricia leaves behind a legacy of adventure and laughter.

She owned sports cars from an XKE Jaguar to her last red Corvette, and she never met a dog she didn’t love.

Patricia was the daughter of the late Robert W. and Eileen Kelly King. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Colonel Robert E. Venkus USAF, retired. She is also survived by her sister, Jaclyn King Braddy (Nelson), her niece Kelly VanWinkle (Lance), her stepdaughters Amy Venkus and Pamela Zedak, grandson Bobby Zedak and granddaughter Parker Zedak. 

A Memorial Service will be held at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A., 12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 12:00 PM.

Burial will be at the US Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO. date is to be determined. 

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Kappa Delta Foundation: In loving memory of Patricia King for the benefit of Beta Theta Chapter at The Pennsylvania State University

Attn:  Danika Arenibas 3205 Player Lane, Memphis, TN 28125

Public Broadcasting, PBS (WETA Baltimore): 3939 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206

Maryland Humane Society

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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