Heard of the sad news today. I was fortunate enough to be Rick's supervisor when he retired from Centurylink. As an employee, we could not ask for more. He was dependable, hard working and considerate. Truly a great person. 
Him and I would always joke about the Patriots & Broncos... yes, he had more to brag about than I did. RIP Mr. King.  

Finally the most important invitation that Rick extended to me was to be part of the family. Marrying Rick's daughter Crystal was by far the best decision I ever made. Just because I married into the family though didn't mean that I would have felt the full union of our marriage, but Rick and Paula made sure that I quickly knew I was in. I've spent a lower quantity of time with them but that has been made up by quality. I have so many wonderful small memories that I will recall fondly in the times I need. I will miss Rick dearly but I will always find the joy in his invites. Thank you Rick.



On two separate occasions I was invited to travel to the coasts. On the west coast I was in attendance for the memorial of Rick's father-in-law, a man that meant a great deal to him. I remember that, although it was difficult, Rick spoke a few kind words and he later explained why that was important to him. The east coast trip was for a family gathering in Maine where I met many of the extended family. So much of that dynamic mimicked my own family gatherings and I felt right at home. Both of these trips allowed me the opportunity to visit the oceans, which was yet another first.


There was the time I was invited to a baseball game. At the time I don't think Rick knew that it was my FIRST Rockies game, the team that rekindled my love of the game after ignoring it through much of my earlier 20's. The seats were great, however, as anyone who has been to a day game at Coors Field knows, the sun can be very problematic. Even though the heat melted our sunscreen and the day continued to get hotter, the enjoyment of that memory has been burnt deeper than the sunburn ever could.

I was honored when I was invited to share a few memories of Rick and it made me think of other times I was invited to share things with Rick and his family.

One of the first memories I have to share is when I was invited to a Thanksgiving meal with Rick and Paula way back when Crystal and I were first dating. Now a bit of backstory here, I was prepared in advance for "home decor" that adorned Ricks home. See at the time I was vegan and was informed that the house would be full of taxidermy and furs from animals Rick had hunted. Now my family also hunts so it wasn't that shocking to me, however, I can only imagine how the reaction to "Salem is vegan" went. I was never made to feel out of place, in fact Paula even shared recipes she would find in magazines over the years to follow.


Dad and I didn't always get along, I'm that weird kid in a pretty normal family, but there were always quiet moments, like late at night when we were both having trouble sleeping, or when I would help him with whatever needed fixing on my car. Those quiet moments were special as we always found common ground even though we were so different. Grammie King always said dad was a trouble maker, looks like I took after him. ❤️

You took Sylvia and I down to a fairground along the beach in Maine, when we decided we were hungry you ordered us french-fries from a little shack along side the beach. They proceeded to hand us a paper grocery bag full of French fries. You then looked on lovingly as Sylvia and I were mobbed by seagulls. Best time ever. 

When I first met Rick, I was not very outdoorsy. Sylvia soon cured me of that, but Rick really helped me feel comfortable in the woods. When I first started hunting with him, I was afraid of getting lost going over the hill! But one of Rick's strongest abilities was putting someone at ease. He helped me through hunting my first elk and my first deer, and I don't think I could have done either of those without him. Thanks, Rick, not only for bringing your love of the outdoors to me, but for being there for me when I wasn't sure I could do it myself.

I always loved camping and fishing with grandpa.   I will miss doing those with him.

Grandpa always had faith in me when I wanted to join the Air Force. He always supported me and never gave up on me and because of that faith, I will honor him by having faith in others no matter what and I will join the Air Force to honor his name and his hope for me, for I know that he is with me every step of the way.

Every time we went camping ,Grandpa and Grandma would always take me and my sister 4-wheeling . I used to have to sit in the back, but as I got older I even was allowed to sit up front. I always love the thrill of it because I new they would never let me get hurt.

One time, Grandpa took me and my sister to the flea market and he bought me this dog made out of Styrofoam. Amazingly enough dog about as tall as I was at the time . I still have it  , and it is now half of my height.



My first elk.  You were on the walkie talkie with some new guys we were hunting with.  They could not find their vehicle, they could not find your vehicle.  Once they did find your blue truck, they were not sure it was the right blue truck.  At that point I saw a hoof move in the woods. I turned to you to let you know and you had turned away to ask the boys how many blue trucks are out there.  I said to heck with it and turned back to the elk.  Nice cow elk.  I shot her and dropped her where she stood.  Scared the pants off you.  I'll miss having more hunting stories with you dad.  

Lots of fun memories in Maine.  I still remember when the whole family got in to a tomato fight.  It was a great way to get rid of all those tomatoes.

I remember when he gradated from high school his gown was wet so we drove around in his black mustang as I held it out the window to dry!!!

Before he joined the service he was visiting , he had dinner with my family and when he found out that we did not have a garbage disposal he said no big deal, said to my dad 'you buy it and I will put it in' and he put the electrical and everything else that needed to be done ( for free). When mom and dad sold the house it was still working great. They never had a problem with it and there was always had a soft spot in my mom's heart for him , he was a true friend for life !!

I remember at my father’s funeral Rick stood up and took all the bars off his uniform and laid them in the coffin with my father. There wasn’t a dry in the place. But that’s the type of man he was.

When we were kids our parents used to keep their soda for mixed drinks in a cabinet. Well there was some ginger ale in there and when they went to drink it. It was water! Rick drank it and filled it back up with water. He would never fess up to that and always blamed me! This was a big story to be told in the family with many laughs.

Rick was a dear friend from high school. We kept in contact over the years.  We (Beth & Bill) were lucky enough to travel with Paula & Rick to Hawaii to visit our good friend Pete and his family.  Whenever Paula & Rick were in Maine we would get together and spend time together.  He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace brother.

Dad sitting on the fireplace stoop, reliving stories about the Air force, hunting and diving. I loved his big smile and laugh when he told them. Like the guy who just handed dad his gun when he was on patrol in Turkey. His story of the huge eel looking at the map over his shoulder in Truck, and of course who could forget Greg and dad's retelling of "I'm just a bush."

When we were in Germany, it was my birthday. I was a tiny kid at the time. You told me to look up. I kept looking to the side and up but not quite far enough. You finally said. "No no.. look straight up boo." Lo and behold there was a giant bug stuffed animal tucked into the chandelier. I still have that bug, and I'll always love that memory.

Another Grady Court brother was taken too soon, Rick King I will cherish our friendship and love.  Say hello and reunite with friends, William Marshall and David Peters until we all meet again.  Memories linger in thought and love surrounds you still.  Joy and happy times connect the past and our future promises a reunion.  Forever in our hearts, RIP friend!

Rick you will be missed for sure it was a pleasure to have known you. Had some great times the past 9 years chasing elk with you. Still remember the last time trying to get you on the radio  to see what the heck was going on and you dropped a cow with a neck shot and remained radio silence so "Sylvia" wouldn't pick up... Rest in Peace ..

I can’t express how saddened I am with the loss of the best neighbor ever! His willingness to help me out numerous times is so appreciated! I have so many stories, grass mowing, snow removal, fence building, elk meat for my boys 😜, bringing the playground over for my g-babies! I can’t believe he’s gone so soon! My family will truly miss his generous being! ❤️

I have been friends with Rick and the king family for 50 years. Had many great times with him and the family when we were teenagers. Many happy memories haying and partying in the Mustang. You will be deeply missed by all of us who had the pleasure of being your friend.

He was the best uncle ever!! I remember when I was very young he was in Maine and we were plowing through snowbanks  with his rental vehicle.. and I have many more great memories.

We're heartbroken 💔  We had many memorable camping trips, ATV  trips, Estes Park getaways, Albuquerque balloon fiesta, BBQs, dinners and game nights!  We will miss you, your friendship and your sense of humor Rick! ❤🙏🏻

The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Chief King's 22 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or raobuckley@gmail.com. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss. 

Steve Young 
Lt Col, USAF, Ret 
Director, Buckley SFB RAO

OBITUARY

Richard "Rick" "Easy" Edward King

22 November, 1956 – 6 July, 2022

Mountain View Funeral & Cremation

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