Alvin Olin King

The year after King earned his law degree from Tulane Law School, he became a member of the Lake Charles Lodge No. 165. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice on July 12, 1916. On February 12, 1917, he passed to the degree of Fellowcraft, and on April 22, 1917, King was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. On July 13, 1917, King was also made Mark Master, Past Master, and Most Excellent Master of a local York Rite chapter, Lake Charles Chapter, No. 47 R.A.M.

King was serving as President Pro Tem of the state Senate in 1930 when Governor Huey P. Long was elected to the U.S. Senate. A political controversy ensued, with the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Paul Cyr, declaring himself governor, alleging that Long had left the governor's office vacant upon his election to the U.S. Senate. Long argued that Cyr's premature assumption of governorship was illegal and the courts agreed with him. Cyr was removed from office and, as President Pro Tem of the Senate, King was successor to the office of Lieutenant Governor. In 1932, when Long left Louisiana to take his U.S. Senate seat, Lieutenant Governor King filled the vacancy in the governor's office.

King served as governor between January and May of 1932. King was expected to handle routine matters of the office until governor-elect, O.K. Allen could take office. However, circumstances dictated that he take serious action. The state's finances where threatened by the weakening national bond market and as such, Louisiana was unable to sell bonds to fund Long's expansive highway program. King had to step in to cut back the highway program as well as personnel and salaries within the highway department.

Following his brief service as governor, King returned to Lake Charles to practice law. He became involved with several local industry organizations, and was President of the Lake Charles Association of Commerce. In 1947, he became the national counselor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and served in that role until 1954. He also served as the President of the Louisiana Bar Association in 1952. King died in Lake Charles in 1958.