Roger Lawrence King

Roger was born the eldest of three sons to Lawrence Wright and Edna Lucille (nee. Aubuchon) King. The family lived in Boulder County farming and raising cattle. He graduated from Boulder High School and served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. In 1954 he married Barbara Stengel, also of Boulder. The next year he entered Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1962.

Roger began work in his home area, opening the first veterinary practice in Lafayette. From there he moved to Ft. Morgan and later to Phoenix AZ in 1967. During his working years, he specialized in canine orthopedics and equine medicine but didn’t limit his work, occasionally treating the exotic animal or bird that even he was surprised came his way. He was appointed to the Arizona Board of Veterinary Examiners, served for a time as track veterinarian at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, and for several years maintained licensure in five western states. Roger’s admiration of a good horse and memories of his younger farm life years were recreated with the purchase of a pair of Percheron draft horses that he and Barbara enjoyed showing, often with family and friends in tow. He and Barbara were founders of the Arizona Draft Horse Association.

Retirement in Durango CO took Roger back to his home state, where he and Barbara enjoyed a beautiful life full of family and friends. They worked to revitalize the Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering, with particular focus on the scholarship program for schools of the region. In 2013, Roger returned to Arizona to be closer to a greater number of his family following Barbara’s passing. As a parent, Roger, by leading example, taught his children the value of hard work and the importance of making yourself available for other people and your community.

Roger is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara and his brother Donald (Kathy). His son Mark (Laurel) shortly joined him in heaven. He is survived by his brother David (Kathryn) and his children Mary Lu, Debie (Chuck) and Jackie, eight grandchildren and their spouses, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Graveside services - Friday, July 5, 2019 10:30 a.m. - Mountain View Memorial Park, 3016 Kalmia Ave., Boulder, CO.