C. Verl King

C. Verl King joined his beloved wife Sidney while surrounded by family on June 6 2017.  Verl was born in Laramie WY on Jan. 3, 1930 to Vaun and John Ross King.  He is survived by his children Cindy Anderson (Brian), Ross King (Connie), Dea Drake (Jeff), Craig King (Bonnie DalSoglio), and Stuart King (Melanie Reese) and grandchildren Bob, Shawn, Kali, Kim, Braden, and Taylor.  He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brothers Jay King and James Stockton.

Verl lived a full and happy life.  He grew up in Wyoming then moved to Star and lived and worked on his Grandfather’s ranch.  Verl worked as a butcher and then for Eddy’s bakery in Boise where he learned to make delicious homemade doughnuts—which he did for us regularly.  He attended Boise Junior College for a couple of years and then Diesel Mechanics school in Chicago IL.  After that he started working as a mechanic and over the years he worked for Intermountain Equipment, Carl Woodall and Sons, Peter Kiewit, Western Construction, and Western States Equipment. During the summers his wife and kids would join him wherever he happened to be working.  We lived in places like Lowman, Stanley, Spencer, and many other towns/areas in southern Idaho and western Oregon.  He was a well-respected heavy equipment mechanic and occasionally operated equipment as well.  Verl was a strong and energetic man and when his colleagues would struggle trying to loosen a bolt they would call it a Verl bolt because they figured he tightened it.  He worked on various roads, at mines, dam construction, and flood control.

He worked hard to support his family and instilled that strong work ethic into all his children.  He always had time to go hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends.  Verl loved to hunt birds and over the span of his life he spent many days during the fall and winter hunting pheasants, quail, grey partridge, chukars, and ducks.  He also enjoyed big game hunting with a special fondness for antelope hunting.  He spent many hours in the fields and mountains hunting and fishing with his sons and friends.  His most memorable hunt was a trip to Alaska to hunt caribou with his son Craig. 

He was an active member of the Operating Engineers local 360 for most of his working life.  He also volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and regularly went up as a spotter looking for downed aircraft.  He was often call eagle eye Verl because of his ability to spot game (hunting) and objects on the ground while with CAP.

After retirement Verl spent his time maintaining his duplex property in Nampa, working with FEMA on disaster relief projects in association with the Church of the Brethren, and traveling with his wife to places like Hawaii, Australia, and Alaska.  He volunteered and helped rebuild flood damaged homes all over the US.  He was a regular attendee and a Deacon for the church in Boise and Nampa throughout his life.

He was a devoted husband and loving father to his kids and grandkids.  He was generous and always willing to help family or friends with anything.  He liked to repair and build and was always working on something.  He did not want to sit indoors when he could be outside doing something.  He had a great smile and enjoyed playing practical jokes on family and friends and had a sense of humor that permeated his spirit.  He was always quick to crack a joke or laugh.  He would do anything to help his children and grandchildren and they brought him joy and happiness. 

He loved the holidays and could not wait to buy gifts for everyone in the family.  He decorated his house with lights and would take the family around town to enjoy other’s lights and displays.  He rose early on Christmas to give his gifts and love to his family because he was so excited to start the celebration. 

Verl was always positive and never complained even if he was in a lot of pain.  He will be missed by all whose lives he touched and his parting leaves a void in our hearts because no one can give what he gave to so many for so long.  He adored his wife and struggled after she passed in 2015, but can now be at peace and join her while looking out for his family. 

A celebration of his life will be held at the Boise Valley Church of the Brethren, 4721 Star Rd, Meridian, ID on June 28 at 10:30.