Howard C. King
March 21, 1931 - January 21, 2015
Obituary
Howard C. King was born to Leslie and Myrtle King of Burnaby B.C. Canada on March 21, 1931. He passed away peacefully at age 83 in McKenna, WA on Jan 21, 2015. Howard was the eighth of nine children, and the last of his siblings to pass away. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lois; daughters Jan King (Kerwin Nicholson) and Gini Britton (Dale); 4 grandchildren, Teri Hagstrom (Matt), Nic Britton (Heather), Nakia Bucher, and Kayla Rae King; 3 beautiful great-granddaughters, Allyson Britton, Peyton Britton, and Everlea Hagstrom; and many nieces, nephews, and very good friends. Howard was preceded in death by son Ray King in March 2014.
Howard moved to WA at age 19 and following that became a U.S. citizen. In 1960 he married Lois and adopted Jan and Ray as his own. Gini was born soon after. The family lived first in White Center then moved to Burien in a nice house just a couple of blocks from his cabinet shop in an area now called Olde Burien. He was a creative and talented wood worker – he did it for a living as well as for pleasure – either way, he was a very hard worker and always busy. He built and raced limited hydroplanes (280 E class) and as a member of Seattle Inboard Racing Association raced in competition on several Pacific Northwest lakes. Distant races easily turned into fun weekend camping trips the whole family enjoyed. Howard had a variety of interests aside from building things. He enjoyed gardening and growing orchids, rafting the Colorado River, seeing new sights, getting together with old friends and making new ones. He was funny and friendly and always had a smile for you.
In the late 1990’s Howard and Lois sold their Burien home and retired to Arizona – first living in Casa Grande, then Mesa. They bought a travel trailer and explored the southwest. They loved it there, had nice neighbors, and loved having company come and spend time with them. It wasn’t until Oct 2012 that Howard and Lois moved back to Washington, in the Olympia area, to be closer to family.
Howard was a sweet, kind, and generous man who will be missed forever by his family and friends.
Both of us want to express how sad we are at the loss of Howard from his family. We had such pleasant recollections of times spent with Howard and Lois over the years. I don’t think I ever heard an unkind word uttered by him. They came to visit us in Texas and we had so much fun over a two week period, showing them as much of our state as we had time for. Howard was interested in everything around him. We are better for having known him and know there are countless others, friends and family alike, who benefited from their relationships with him.
Howard was a favorite relative of the family. Fun to be around ,great sense of humor! We enjoyed the times he was around. Though having not seen him in a long time will cherish the good times whenever he was around
Lois I am so sorry for your loss. I think often about all th e great times we had during our racing days. Now Howard is running laps on the big race course in the sky. Prayers and positive thoughts to you and your family.
Howard will be greatly missed, you couldn’t ask for a better person.
Lois & family, I am so sorry to learn of the loss of the wonderful Howard, a true gentleman. Matt, Sean & I have such fond memories of the time spent with you & Howard at your charming Burien home. I imagine heaven is now enriched with beautiful orchids and Howard is “fixing up” a few small things that needed his skillful touch. My warmest wishes for comfort to you and your family through this time.