- Date Of Birth: November 14, 1950
- Date Of Death: October 18, 2022
- State: Idaho
Roger Gary King
On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Roger Gary King, beloved husband, father of eight, and grandpa of eighteen, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Wendell, Idaho. He was seventy-one years old.
Roger was born on November 14, 1950, at Saint Valentines Hospital (now known as The Manor) in Wendell, Idaho. He was the third of four sons born to Nelson Rueben King and Anna Laura Peterson.
He grew up on a farm and dairy in Wendell where he graduated from high school in 1969. During his high school years, he played football and basketball, being awarded Wendell’s basketball player of the year two years in a row. He participated in track and field, competing in the pole vault, high hurdles, and he took 3rd at State in the discus. His senior year he was the Student Body President.
He attended Ricks College (now known as BYU-Idaho) and graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in social work. While at BYU, Merri Ann Phillips invited him over for homemade apple crisp, and they were married 6 months later, in the Idaho Falls Temple on February 15, 1974. They were married for forty-eight years and chose to raise their eight children in Wendell.
Over the years, Roger worked as a carpenter, social worker, and nursing home administrator. Roger founded King Cabinets and Woodworks and for the last twenty years he designed, manufactured, and installed custom cabinetry throughout the Magic Valley. A highlight of his life were the occasions when he worked alongside his four sons in the woodworking construction industry. Roger was passionate about flying small aircraft and at one time was the Commander of the Twin Falls Civil Air Patrol. He was a creative soul and loved all things outdoors.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing, off-road riding, camping, pencil-drawing, playing the piano, organ, and guitar, and sharing his metal-detector and rockhounding discoveries with his grandchildren. When Roger got out his guitar, everyone gathered around to sing their favorites, invariably including Lion Hunt and Long Line of Love.
Roger is preceded in death by: his brothers – Teryl Nelson King and Ralph Dennis King (Sandra Ramsey) and his parents.
He is survived by: his wife – Merri Ann; daughters – Jana Lyn Gill (Nathan Lee Gill), grandchildren -Dylan James, William Charles, Ashley Samuel, Freya Rose, Elsa Cariad of Llangefni, Wales; Shelli Ann King of Boise, Idaho; Keri Jo Wood (David Jefferson Wood), grandchildren – Hazel Katherine, Emily Jayne, Jade Aria, baby girl Wood of Meridian, Idaho; sons – Roger William King, grandchildren – Riley William, Madisen, Lily, Daxton David of Salem, Utah; Nelson Carl King (Jamie Ann Jeffers), grandchild – Roger Nelson of Hammett Idaho; Sherman David King (Ashley Merideth Nichole Wood), grandchild – Pasha Adaline of Misawa Japan; Taylor James King (Azucena Marleni Monterrosa), grandchildren – Isaac Charles, Karely Marleni, Atlas James of Orem, Utah; daughter – Tracee Laura Brandon (Brett Mitchell Brandon) of Boise, Idaho; and brother – James Russel King (Susan Wood) of Hailey, Idaho.
