Carlton W King, III

Carlton W King, III, known to many as Buddy, died peacefully at age 77 on June 8, 2025. Buddy will be remembered for his generosity of heart, deep concern for others, musicianship, critical thinking, teaching skill, and ability to inspire teamwork in individuals and organizations not accustomed to working together. Growing up in Seaford, Delaware, Buddy was well known for his trumpet playing. His musical gift brought him honors, such as the Sussex County Band, the All-Eastern Orchestra, and numerous performing opportunities normally reserved for adult musicians. He was also an accomplished pitcher, leading his team to the state championship round of the Little League World Series. He would later go on to coach and umpire Laurel Boys and Girls Club baseball teams, winning a Citizenship Award for his community service. At East Carolina University, Buddy developed a passion for Renaissance music and branched out from trumpet to recorder, krumhorn, sackbut, cornetto, rackett, and numerous other instruments of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. He directed the Collegium Musicum, the first early music ensemble at ECU and the first student-initiated for-credit course at the University. He then went on to obtain his Master’s degree in Musicology at the University of Maryland College Park, where he met his wife, Gabriella. At a time when young men were doing anything they could to avoid fighting in the Vietnam War, Buddy chose to enlist in the Army because “if I didn’t go, someone else would have to serve in my place.” While stationed in Vietnam, he became a Chaplain’s Assistant, playing the organ for worship services, leading a choir, and counseling troops through a host of practical and emotional issues. He later characterized that year as one of the best of his life because of the opportunity to help others in unimaginable circumstances. In his first career, as an early music performer and teacher, Buddy founded two Medieval-Renaissance groups, the King’s Consort and A Newe Jewell, performing at events ranging from educational settings to presidential inaugural balls. As a teacher, he took pride in bringing out the best in his students, and, as a chamber music coach, he helped musicians of all levels make the most of their abilities and produce something exceptional together. After 15 years, Buddy began a second career as an intelligence analyst in the Department of Defense. Combining his love of travel and his exceptional code-breaking skills, Buddy served for three years each in Britain during the end of the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm, and Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. As a manager, he was recognized for turning under-performing teams into cohesive, successful units that took pride in their work. In his last years at the Defense Department, he taught courses that involved assembling intelligence and law enforcement professionals from around the world and exploring new ways to cooperate. After retirement, Buddy launched a “third career,” arranging music for British-style brass bands. His transcription of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition was premiered in Munich. Buddy has been described as a “quiet fighter.” In the wake of a stroke, in 2018, he regained much of his mobility and language skills through seven years of sustained hard work. He took classes at SCALE (Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement), in which he continued to take a huge interest in his fellow stroke survivors’ hobbies and accomplishments, supporting and cheering on their progress. He described himself as “an off the charts introvert,” but you wouldn’t know it from his eagerness to encourage others. He considered one of his greatest accomplishments raising his son Jeremy, an intellectual property attorney, a former Broadway musician, and the father of an already empathic 19-month-old daughter. Buddy is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gabriella, his sister Carlteen Diehl, his son Jeremy (Jamie), and his granddaughter Isadora. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9 am until 9:30 am on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Olvier Place, Columbia, MD, where a funeral service will begin at 9:30 am. Interment will follow in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Buddy’s memory to SCALE (Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement) Aphasia Program at the League, 8806 Orchard Tree Lane, Townson, MD 21286 or online by clicking here.