Tracy King
April 2, 1931 - August 22, 2004
Obituary
Tracy King passed away peacefully on August 22, 2004 with his loving family present. Born April 2, 1931 in Seattle, Tracy grew up in Bellingham, Aberdeen and Vancouver. He graduated from Vancouver High School in 1949 where he excelled in all sports and led the state championship football team as an all state end.
He attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship, was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and graduated in 1953. After college Tracy spent two years in the US Army including an 18 month stint in Korea. In 1957, he married Carol Drahold and raised four boys on Bainbridge Island. Tracy’s career path began in the insurance industry and was a top producing sales agent for New York Life in Seattle. In 1973, he rejoined his alma mater, the University of Washington, and became the Director of the Retirement and Insurance Office. In 1981, Tracy found his true calling serving as the Executive Director of the UW Alumni Association, retiring in 1990.
In 1974, he met and married his “punkin”, Joan, with whom he shared the rest of his life. Joan had four children each child was exactly the same age as Tracy’s and together they committed to raising this brood, so often called the “King Family.” Tracy loved to play golf and over the years you could find him teeing off at Sand Point Country Club and Seattle Golf Club. He was an active member in the Seattle Downtown Rotary, Tyee Club , Washington Athletic Club and the 101 Club. Those who knew Tracy understood and shared in his passion for fishing and hunting. He was equally as passionate about Husky sports or for that matter any sport team of the season. A true believer on the conservative side of the political spectrum, Tracy was never reluctant to patiently explain the way of the world to the “ignorant, unwashed masses of the left”.
Tracy is survived by his wife of thirty years, Joan; his twin brother Don and sister Dolores Van Leeuwen; four sons; Tracy Jr. Gail, Don Caron, Ted Kristy, and David plus four stepchildren; Mary Jo Dedomenico, Cathy Bachmann, Veda Jo Jenkins and Mark Dedomenico Jr. Marci. His family and his fifteen grandchildren added immeasurably to the fullness of his life. Annual pilgrimages to Hi Hium Lake, B. C. with fishing buddies were the highlight of Tracy’s year; a tradition he maintained for 30 + years despite declining health. To honor the special status of this sacred place in Tracy’s life, his family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name directly to: Circle W Hi Hium Fishing Camp
Box 8-Savona, British Columbia, Canada VOK2JO
A memorial service will be held Friday, September 3rd at 1:00PM at the University Presbyterian Church, 4540 15th Ave NE, Seattle. The reception will be held at the church immediately following.
I will always remember the duck hunting trip with Tracy. It would have made a great short story. I still remember how cold it was and the fridge was still bare when we got home.
I will always remember the duck hunting trip with Tracy. It would have made a great short story. I still remember how cold it was and the fridge was still bare when we got home.
Joan and Family: As a person who knew you and Tracy as teenagers and later through more tense moments as adults with young children, you can never know the joy that I felt when you and Tracy married. It was a merger of two wonderful people. In high school and college Tracy was a friend who married the younger sister of one of my best friends, your brother. I know that Tracy loved you, Joan, loved his life with you and loved the combined family. The times that we have spent with you have been precious. Our deepest sympathy to you all in your loss. Rocky and Casey
Dear Joan: Sincere sympathy
Dear Joan: Sincere sympathy
Thanks for including a Cougar in your life. Your friendship has enriched my life and you will always be Number One in my Husky Hall Of Fame.
Goodbye, old friend. We will miss you
Dear Joan and family. Tracy was a special person who touched the lives of so many people. A great man and a good friend.
Dear Joan, Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Tracy was a kind man who delighted in meeting old and new freinds. We don’t know of
anyone who had more people who considered him a friend.
We wish Joan and the family all the love and companssion that is so deserving at this time of sadness.
Dear Joan and Family, Tracy was a special guy who had an outstanding life and many, many friends.He leaves lots of fond memories and a great family.
We will miss the big guy. Enjoyed fishing, hunting and socializing with Tracy and Joan over the years. Especially remember a great trip to the Orange Bowl with the King’s and the Alm’s and a hunting trip to the Waluke Slope and Tracy’s Thursday Goose. Tracy will forever remain in hearts. Thanks for all the memories.
Tracy – you were a great mentor to me before and afterI i entered the UW, particularly relative to the fraternity and the football program.
Someday, maybe you can mentor me again. Take good notes, old friend.
Mike Peringer
Tracy, The best insurance salesman we ever had. Told us to sell the policy take the cash surrender value and lose it in the market. We did. David and Judy Black
Dear Joan & Family:
We were saddened to hear of your loss. Your Tracy was a wonderful man, a great father and loving husband.
We remember some of the good times we had while traveling out-of-state to Husky football games.
Our best wishes to you and your family.
Warm, gracious, wonderful stories, love of the outdoors, great friend.
Wonderful memories of U.W. Alumni Association days….”larger than life” individual whom we will miss. May you “boom boom” to your hearts desire in the great beyond.
Joan–with love and sympathy to you and your family.
Pat Long
Joan and Family; You have the love and support of all of your many many friends. Tracy was my best and most loyal friend. May God Bless you all and give you strength.
My mother, Evelyn King Gilbert and I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Joan and family. It has been many years since we last saw Tracy, but he did call when I lost my Dad Dale Gilbert five years ago. He was always such a kind and gentle man. Mom remembers playing golf with Tracy at Seattle Golf Club and what a great time she & Dad had that day. Most of my memories of Tracy were when we were much younger and would have family get-to-gethers at Don & Ruie’s. Our prayers for your peace & comfort at this difficult & sad time. Sincerely, Judy Gilbert Turner & Evelyn King Gilbert
Back in 1974 or 1975 when Tracy was Director of the UW Retirement Office, and I was a relatively young person leaving the University to attend law school,I consulted him for advice on what to do about my retirement contributions. As a result of the excellent advice he gave me, I was able to retire two years ago with a retirement package that is the envy of most of my friends. Every month when I receive my retirement check,I remember Tracy very fondly for having taken the time to research my situation and for giving me some of the best advice I ever received. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Tracy created laughter and good times. We will miss him very much. There will never be another like him…he was “one of a kind”.