- Date Of Birth: June 21, 1926
- Date Of Death: January 4, 2018
- State: Colorado
Homer Eugene “Lucky” King, 91, passed away on January 4, 2018. On the first day of summer in 1926 Lucky was born in Cullison, Pratt County, Kansas to Eva Ruth Swafford and Wilbur Llewellyn King. He was the second youngest of 13 children and one of 6 to serve in WWII. He enlisted in the Navy in April 1944. After attending USN Boot Training at USNTC Farragut, ID, he was assigned to USS Nashville (CL-43) Heavy Cruiser at Bremerton, WA. He was then transferred to USS Charleston (PG-51) Patrol Gunboat at Adak, AK. USS Charleston became flagship for the South China Forces, patrolling the Alaskan, South Pacific and China Seas areas. Upon its return to San Francisco in 1946, Lucky was given an Honorable Discharge as a Seaman 1st Class, 3rd Class Fire Controlman. In San Francisco, Lucky honed his love of photography as a street photographer before moving back to Colorado via a short stint in Yakima, WA. Lucky spent most of his career in the automotive industry as Parts Manager for a Studebaker-Plymouth-Desoto dealership, then joined Ford Motor Co. as a Territory Sales Representative, and later working for Spitzer Electrical Co. where he remained until his retirement in 1996. His love of aviation led him to earn his Commercial Pilot’s Certificate. He loved to travel, take photographs and was an avid hunter and fisherman. His appreciation of nature and the outdoors served as a great backdrop for many of his wonderful photos. He was a proud member of The International Order of the Rocky Mountain Goats in Salida, CO. Lucky had a strong love of family and was a dedicated son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather and a friend to so many. To meet Lucky was to love him. Even during his final hours, his sense of humor and love of life touched everyone. He will never be forgotten and remain in our hearts. Always.
