Dick King

A viewing for family and friends will be held from 7-9 pm on Friday, November 10 at Grant Mortuary in Craig. The funeral service will be held at 9 am on Saturday, November 11 at St Michael’s Catholic Church, also in Craig.

Dick was born August 25, 1944, in Wichita Falls, Texas to Virgil Raymond “Bud” and Mildred Frances (Morrison) King. He was the first of five children.

He grew up in Burlington, CO, where his lifetime passion for sports and the outdoors began. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1962 and was a member of the 1962 Colorado All State Men’s Basketball Team.

Dick married Jane Matilda Stolz on November 10, 1962. After moving to Craig in 1972, the couple owned and operated multiple businesses, including King’s Automotive and Big A Auto Parts. The family has owned and operated Auto Parts of Craig since 1980.

He played for many men’s softball and basketball teams in Craig throughout the 1970s and 1980s and was a member of the first Triple Crown Co-Ed championship softball team, along with Jane.

Dick had a true passion for trapshooting and was a very active member of the Craig Trap Club for over 45 years. He was inducted into the Colorado Trap Shooting Hall of Fame in 2012. He traveled extensively around the country competing in various shoots and coached many generations of young trap shooting enthusiasts at the Craig Trap Club throughout the years. His love for the sport continued into his later years and he last shot 23 of 25 in early October from his wheelchair.

Dick was a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and was happiest when he was spending time with his family – fishing, hunting, and cheering on multiple generations of his family throughout their school years in all their wonderful activities.

He is survived by his two sons, Virgil Richard (Diane) King Jr. of Craig and Bradley Phillip (Kristy) King, of Grand Junction; and his daughter, Kelly Lynn Kaemerer, of Littleton.

Dick is also survived by his grandchildren, Casey (Kaci) Meek-Martin of Castle Rock; Cameron Martin of Craig; Carlin King of Craig; Cayden King of Craig; Madison Kaemerer of Littleton; Nicholas Kaemerer of Littleton; Ashley Peters (Michael Kime) of Grand Junction; Kori King of Grand Junction; and Josey (Shayna) Allen-King, of Grand Junction.

He has seven amazing great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by three sisters, Sue (Doug) Keirnes of Castle Rock; Debbie (Barry) Hinkhouse of Burlington; and Julie Mann of Littleton.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Jane; his parents, Bud and Mildred King; and his sister, Phyllis King.

Dick loved sharing stories about his family’s adventures, and he traveled far and wide to share in their life experiences. His family always knew that all they had to do was look up and they would find grandpa close by.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and sent to "Memorial Giving: 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105." Please note Dick King Memorial Fund on the subject line of donation checks.

Donations can also be made online at the following link: http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/kingfund

This was a cause that was close to Dick’s heart, and he is at peace knowing his legacy will help children in need.