Gerald "Bill" William King Jr.

home. Gerald, or Bill as he was known, was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and spent

18 years in the reserves after active duty.

Bill was born September 8, 1943 in Scioto Township, Jackson, Ohio to parents Georgia

LaFaune (Martin) King and Gerald William King Sr. He grew up on his mother's family farm

playing cowboys with his pony Judy and his dog Pete. He went to Scioto Elementary School in

Scioto Township, Jackson County and was active in 4-H. He graduated from Jackson High

School in 1961. In high school he joined FFA (Future Farmers of America), played center

position in basketball, defensive end or tackle in football, the high jump, and 400-yard dash in

track and field. He went to Ohio State University and joined the ROTC. He graduated with a

bachelor's in Agriculture Economics in 1965.

He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, June 11, 1965 in the United States Air Force. Bill

fought in Vietnam as a member of “The Ranch Hands,” and as part of the KC 135-

Stratotankers, providing air support for SAC B-52 bombers and Pacific Air Forces. He

completed 621combat missions and was awarded many decorations including Distinguished

Flying Cross and Air Medal. He also had assignments in Thailand, Greenland, and visited

Australia. In 1970 he was honorably discharged. He then served in Air Force Reserves, working

with the DEA, Canadian Forces, and the Republic of Korea. He retired from active duty in 1993.

For many years, he participated in an Air Force medical study on the long term effects of Agent

Orange.

On June 7, 1973 he married Jane (Berta) in South Bend, Indiana. He graduated with a Master’s

of Science in Animal Nutrition from Ohio State University in May of 1974. That same year they

moved to Trinidad, Colorado where Bill worked for the Colorado State Extension Services 4-H

agent. They then moved to Westcliffe, Colorado in 1976, where he became the Custer County

CSU Extension Director agent. He joined the Silver Cliffe Masonic Lodge #38 A.F. & A.M in

1981. He rose to third degree Mason. While living in Westcliffe, he was instrumental in opening

up the Custard County Credit Union, where later he served as president and board member.

He moved the family to Longmont, Colorado as a 4-H agent, in 1984. He encouraged his

children to participate in 4-H, just as he did when he was a kid, driving them to dog obedience

and showmanship classes, loading up the horse to take to the Boulder County Fair, and

enjoying the baked goods they perfected. Bill could strike up a conversion with anyone

anywhere, and enjoyed conversing with old and new friends alike. He always had a joke or a

story to tell. This gift made him a natural salesman who worked for Agland, Ranchway Feeds,

OK Doke Sod Farm, and Royal Crest Dairy.

He loved the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, teaching his daughters these sports. and inviting

their now husbands to join him. He also enjoyed golf and participated in the Calvary Church’s

annual golf tournament. He never tired of watching old western movies, John Wayne and Roy

Rogers, being some of his favorites. Watching college football, especially The Ohio State

Buckeyes was a favourite pastime. Every few years he would take the family on road trips

across the country. The family would frequent LaJolla California, and take the kids to

Disneyland. One time he tricked his youngest to ride Thunder Mountain, saying it was a different

train ride. He was ornery and fun natured. Yet, he was a generous man, who always made sure

his family was taken care of and helped others in need. He once put together Christmas

presents for co-workers who couldn’t afford a good Christmas for their kids. He was a friend, a

father, a proud veteran, and Papa, he will be forever loved and missed. He set an example of

courage and determination in the face of a debilitating disease, Parkinson’s.

He is survived by his wife Jane and their children Kelly Tosaka (Max) of Longmont, and Dinah

Campbell (Chris) of Falcon, and by his grandchildren: Asher, Liam, Eliana, Ella, and Jonas, and

by his sister Georgia Lee Hughes. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald W. and

Georgia LaFaune King.

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Church, 2101 Gay St., Longmont on February 5th at

11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Bill's honor at any of these charities:

Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies,The Davis-Phinney Foundation of Parkinson’s, Life

Choices Pregnancy Center, The Mighty Oaks Foundation, and The American Legion. Military

funeral honors will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery at a later date.