Tommy King; Retired Musician, Realtor

Tommy King, a retired Realtor who organized a big band that played throughout Southern California, has died at his Chatsworth home. He was 72.

King died Sunday of heart failure, said his wife, Jo Ann Vasilaros.

Born Thomas J. Vasilaros in Pittsburgh, he served as the leader of a dance band in the U.S. Army during World War II. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War, playing trombone in the U.S. Air Force Band. After he was discharged, King came to California and played with the Harry James band and the Republic Studios Orchestra. About 1960, he organized the Tommy King Orchestra. The band served as the official big band of Home Savings of America, playing for bank openings and related events, officials said.

In addition to his musical career, King worked as a real estate agent in Canoga Park for about 25 years and retired in the late 1980s.

King was a past board member of the San Fernando Valley Board of Realtors and belonged to the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, the Disabled American Veterans and the Pan Icarian Brotherhood, a Greek-American organization.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jo Ann; a son, Thomas J. Vasilaros Jr. of Panorama City; a daughter, Patricia Cousineau of Winnetka; and a brother, Nicholas Vasilaros of Canoga Park.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at St. John Eudes Church, 9901 Mason Ave., Chatsworth. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth. Bastian & Perrott Mortuary in Northridge is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in King’s name to the Family Assistance Program, 6605 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 300, Los Angeles 90028.

Zamora, Paul G., 51, of North Hollywood, machinist for General Motors Corp. Pierce Brothers Valhalla Mortuary, North Hollywood.

Information on Valley-area deaths is provided by cooperating mortuaries.