The papers of John A. King contain correspondence, diaries, and typescripts of his diaries. One diary is from his freshman year at the University of Michigan (1939). The other diaries describe his experiences in World War II, his travels abroad, and King’s daily life in Michigan.

The majority of the diaries contain information about King and his wife Joan’s life in Webberville and Okemos, Michigan. He writes about daily happenings and social activities that the two engaged in. He also makes note of the weather, relative humidity, and temperature for each day. In addition, he notes native animals such as fox, squirrels, raccoons, deer, mink and muskrat that frequent his backyard and pond. Several of the diaries contain notes about raccoons caught in traps. The diaries also list books and movies that King read and viewed and his comments on each.

The correspondence files contain conversations on politics, social functions and discussions about issues of nature and scientific discoveries, as well as talk about families and happenings in each other's lives.

Also included in the collection are King’s early research notes and field work on prairie dogs.

The electronic resources series contains digital versions of King's autobiographical sketches, diaries, and correspondence from the years 1937-2013. The autobiographical short essays cover King's own life, genealogies of family members and himself, and his observations and philosophy. His curriuculum vitae and other career documentation, as well as short biographies of some of his friends, are also included with the autobiographical material. Correspondence includes letters to business associates, politicians, colleagues, students, friends (including Army friends), and relatives. Some of his wife Joan's letters to politicians during her tenure as AARP State Legislative Chairman (1990-1991) are also included. The digital transcripts of King's diaries cover the years 1937-2002, from his time as a student at the University of Michigan through his careers in the Army and academia, and his family life. Four manuscripts of short stories and essays written under the pseudonym Rexford Strathroy are also included, as well as manuscripts for two scientific papers and a biographical sketch of his mentor and colleague J. Paul Scott.