Hank King, 88

Hank, as he was known by most, died peacefully in the home of his grandson Mark LaMere and his wife Shae in Lewisville, Colorado. He was born in Montrose, Colorado. and was one of five children. He grew up in Leadville, Colorado. Life was difficult in the 1930s and 1940s for people of this country but Hank was resilient and thrived.

He went to a Catholic elementary school and graduated from Leadville High School. In 1955 he started at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado where he met the love of his life, Georgiana. They attended freshman year together and then put aside college to wed on October 30, 1955.

They left Colorado after the first of their four children was born. They built their first home in Batavia, Illinois. There, Hank worked in law enforcement and became a K9 officer and a marksman. He also enjoyed being an Eagle Scout leader.

Hank, Georgie, and the kids moved to Hells Canyon outside of Silver Star, Montana. There they learned how to farm and raise livestock which was a cherished experience.

Moving to Montana was a dream come true for Hank. He became a truck driver, driving a dump truck, graveling and paving roads in Yellowstone Park before becoming a long-haul driver with Georgie. Hank then found his most rewarding employment as a fire crew bus and school bus driver before retiring in 2021.

Family and faith were very important to him. He loved to visit with family and friends. He enjoyed being in the outdoors with everyone hiking, fishing, hunting, picnicking, and getting firewood.

In 2003 Hank was ordained as a minister of the 7th Day Church of God preaching and guiding others in the Word. He loved the Lord and Savior. He also had an unwavering sense of patriotism which he instilled in his children. He was the patriarch of the family and will be missed beyond measure.

He was preceded in passing by his mother Mary, wife Georgiana, son Larry, grandaughter Brianne, sister Bea, brothers Clyde and Jerry, and nephew Darryl.

He is survived by his sister Dorothy Adkins, daughter Linda (John) Craig of Butte, MT, daughter Sandy King of Whitehall, MT, son Steve (Kelly) King of Aurora, CO, grandchildren Mark (Shae) LaMere, Brandon Kaario, Nathan (Sharon) Craig, Ashley Craig, Emily (Adam) Johnson, Michaela Hockenberry as well as 13 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and many nephews and nieces.

Per Hanks's wishes, cremation has taken place and services will take place at a later date.