Whether he is blowing his official’s whistle on high school football fields under the Friday night lights or taking a leadership role in the Elizabeth City Elks Lodge, David King gives a lot back to the community he calls home.

When he’s not volunteering, King is busy in his job as professor of counseling and psychology at Mid-Atlantic Christian University.

Originally from Virginia Beach, King moved to Elizabeth City in 1986 after accepting a civilian position at the U.S. Coast Guard Base. King worked in various positions, including as director of family services in the federal civil service, mostly with the Coast Guard, before retiring in 2013 after a 32-year career.

King earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the College of William & Mary, a master’s degree in counseling from Regent University and his doctorate in psychology from Capella University.

King recently completed a year as the district deputy grand exalted ruler of the Elks, representing the 11 lodges in the East District of North Carolina. King said one of his responsibilities was coordinating the lodges’ efforts to help aid eastern North Carolina communities in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. He also currently serves as secretary of Elizabeth City Elks Lodge #856, where he’s been a member for 17 years.

King said he first became involved in the Elks Lodge almost two decades ago after learning about the organization from his barber, Pig Foster, who was a member.

King said the Elks Lodge has supported the community through various projects. It’s provided technology and furniture for the Benjamin House; sponsored local parks and recreation children’s baseball teams; and assisted literacy efforts by the Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families. The civic group also awards college scholarships to high school students, which are available through the organization at https://www.elks.org/.

One of King’s hobbies is geocaching, an outdoor activity that involves participants hiding containers called geocaches at specific locations marked by coordinates and other participants finding them by using global positioning system receivers or other navigational devices.

During the fall, King also serves as a referee for high school football.

“I’ve always enjoyed officiating,” he said.

King and his wife, Judy, are both members of the Elks Lodge. The couple live in South Mills with their basset hound, Josephine. When he’s not working or volunteering, King enjoys spending time with his wife and their children and grandchildren.

For more information about becoming a member of the Elizabeth City Elks Lodge #856, email: members@elizabethcityelks.org.