King Oehmig
On May 23, 2015, the Rev. Dr. Henry King Oehmig, 63, died suddenly while fly fishing at the Blue Springs Club outside Chickamauga, Georgia, a beloved place where he fished as a youth and had his first date with his lifelong love and eventual wife.
King was born in Chattanooga, on June 19, 1951. He attended Lookout Mountain Elementary School and went on to graduate from Baylor School, where he played varsity golf for three years. Like his father, Lew, and brother, West, he attended the University of Virginia and was a four-year letterman on the golf team there. Most significantly, it was during his time at Virginia that King received his calling to ministry while praying at the campus Episcopal parish of St. Paul’s Memorial Church. This receiving of Jesus’ words and love would forever guide his life.
Four years after graduating from college, King married his sweetheart, Margaret Davenport Oehmig. At the same time, he began his studies at the School of Theology at the University of the South and eventually earned a Doctor of Ministry.
King’s commitment to guiding people on their own journeys of faith and through times of struggle first led the newlyweds to Knoxville, where he was Deacon and Assistant to the Dean at St. John’s Cathedral, and on to Millington, TN, where he served as Rector for St. Anne’s Church. His path in the Episcopal Church then took King and Margy to Jackson, Ms. King was Assistant to the Dean at St. Andrews Cathedral, and the couple began their family in Jackson with the births of two sons, Henry King Oehmig Jr. and John Davenport Oehmig. King loved the character and spirit of Mississippi, a fondness he would keep throughout his life.
In 1984, King took a position as associate rector, serving with his dear lifelong friend, the Rev. Michael Carlisle, at The Church of the Ascension in Cartersville, GA. A few years later, King and Margy would bring their family back to Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, where each grew up. King was founder of Synthesis Publications, a successful, respected resource for worship in the Episcopal Church. At the same time, King began as rector at St. Barnabas Church, Trion, GA, and would lead that congregation for seventeen years.
In 1998, drawn back by the game and school he loved, King became head coach of Baylor School’s boys’ and girls’ golf teams. The success of those teams under King’s leadership was staggering. In his twelve years of coaching, the boys’ and girls’ teams together won 21 state championships. After Baylor, multiple players went on to be named SEC Players of the Year and SEC Scholar Athletes of the Year; additionally, the teams produced one NCAA National Player of the Year, 6 NCAA All-Americans, 20 players earning collegiate golf scholarships, and 5 individuals who have played or play on the PGA or LPGA Tours. King was honored as the U.S. Girls Golf Coach of the Year in 1997. King would also coach the men’s’ golf team at the University of the South for three years after his stint with the Baylor golf program. Without question, the highlight of King’s coaching career was forming enduring friendships with his golfers and their families.
The son of legendary amateur golfer, Lew Oehmig, King had a successful amateur golf career of his own. He was a two-time All Mid-South player at Baylor and was the Dixon Brooke Most Valuable Golfer at the University of Virginia. He advanced to the round of 16 at the 1982 USGA Mid-Amateur, played in two British Amateur Championships, and won numerous Chattanooga-area tournaments. His passion for the game also encompassed golf course architecture. King was a historian and advocate of classic, links-style course design, particularly the work of famed American architect, Seth Raynor. King’s knowledge and passion for course design played an instrumental role in the development of several golf courses, including the redesign of Lookout Mountain Golf Club and The Course at Sewanee, and the layout of Black Creek Club and Sweetens Cove Golf Course. Having looked up to his father and his feats on the golf course, King will leave his own lasting and impressive contribution to the game.
Most recently, King served as priest in charge at The Church of the Nativity in Fort Oglethorpe. He volunteered his time and energy to many non-profit organizations, with particular interest in outreach programs for those most in need. King was recognized by the University of the South’s School of Theology with The DuBose Award for Service and was also on the school’s Alumni Counsel. He served on the Board of Trustees at Baylor School, was a board member for Chattanooga Habitat for Humanity and, with his son John, co-chaired Fast Day for the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. King was also inducted into the Baylor School and Lookout Mountain Athletic Halls of Fame.
For all his incredible accomplishments, King’s life was most remarkable for his love of family, friends, and his golfers, and for his amazing generosity and genuineness of spirit. He had a profound, positive impact on countless people who knew and loved him. He will be missed dearly.
King was preceded in death by his parents, Lew and Mary Oehmig. He is survived by his wife, Margy; his brother, West; two sons, John and Henry, and daughters-in-law (his “daughters”), Esmé and Mary; two grandchildren, Tallulah and Henry, and a third expected.
The family visitation and memorial service for the Rev. Dr. Henry King Oehmig will be held May 29, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, with the visitation being held from 12:30–2 p.m. and the service beginning at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions to be made in King’s honor to one of the following organizations: The Chattanooga Community Kitchen, P.O Box 11203, Chattanooga, TN 37401; Metropolitan Ministries, 1112 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404; or The Church of the Nativity, P.O. Box 2356, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742.
Visit www.chattanoogaheritage.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.