Arthur Eugene King

Arthur Eugene King, 58, from Apple Valley, CA raced to Heaven on 10/23/18 at 3:15pm. He was surrounded by family, friends, and Fire Department siblings at his side. Art was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia on 9/14/18 with no outward symptoms, started chemotherapy on 9/18/18, and after a second round of high dose chemo, very aggressive leukemia and complications took him away from all of us.

Art was born on 1/11/60 in Upland, CA to Joyce A. (Nelson) and Arthur H. King. He grew up in Upland, CA, attending Foothill Knolls Elementary, (lived in London England for 1 ½ years with his parents), then Pioneer Jr. High, and graduated Upland High School in 1978. During these years, he enjoyed fishing, camping, Boy Scouts, and football. Art also attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and Cal Poly Pomona for awhile.

He was a reserve firefighter for the City of Montclair from 1983-1991. He was then hired as a firefighter in August 1991 by the City of Victorville. He promoted to Engineer in May 1998; and to Captain in early 2006. During his time in the fire service he took many classes to further his career, and only stopped when he exhausted those offered. In 2008, Victorville City Fire transitioned to the San Bernardino County Fire Dept, where he remained a Captain until his retirement in 11/2017. Art received Firefighter of the year in 1994, and took on many extra projects, including woodworking for all the departments.

Art first met his future wife in sixth grade, lived one block apart, attended the same High School, graduated together, but didn’t start dating until their 10 year High School Reunion. Art proposed on bended knee in front of family and friends, at a Christmas party in 1988. Art and Debbie were married in December 1989. Art was blessed with two wonderful children, Candice A. in 1993, and Arthur R. in 1996.

Arthur loved golf, NASCAR, Jimmy Buffett songs, travel, laughter, jokes, a good beer and cigar, and meticulous woodworking. Projects include clocks, coffee tables, arts and craftsman chairs, fire trucks, TV trays, and cabinetry for others and many in his home. Art was well known for his barbeque technique and always outdid himself on turkeys, beer can chicken, steaks, and prime ribs. No one was allowed A-1 steak sauce, but then no one wanted it.

Art will be watching from Heaven over his wife, Debbie King; daughter, Candice Weber of Hesperia; and son, Arthur R. King of Apple Valley; father, Arthur H. King of Mesa, AZ; mother-in-law, Brenda Hager of Apple Valley; sister Vendula Bottomley of Queens Creek, AZ; son-in-law, Chris Weber; many more family members, cousins, friends, and Fire Department siblings.

Candice, Arthur R., and wife Debbie would like to request in lieu of flowers, please donate to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 515 N. Cabrillo Park Dr., Suite 102, Santa Ana, CA 92701 in memory of Arthur E. King.

Art’s service will be held on 11/3/18 at 1:00 pm at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, 24000 Waalew Rd., Apple Valley, CA. After graveside, a Celebration of Life will be held at his home.

From his wife Debbie to Art in Heaven…till I see you again, I’ll be loving you. Love,