Roger King

Roger Phelps King was born on July 12, 1936 in Pasadena, California to Romain and Frieda King. In his youth, he was an avid member of his Boy Scout troop, receiving both the Eagle Scout award and the Order of the Arrow. After graduating from Van Nuys High School, he went on to attend Pierce Jr. College before graduating from Fresno State with a degree in agriculture.

He married his wife, Susan Ann Williamson in 1957 and they settled with their three children in Campbell, California. Roger spent 30 years working for The Travelers Insurance Company where he oversaw offices in California, Oregon, Nevada, Washington and Alaska. While in Campbell, he also served on the board of the Timpany Center, a facility for the disabled in Santa Clara County. He and his wife retired to Southern Oregon in 1995

Roger is well remembered as a passionate advocate for political and environmental issues, especially riparian rights, and could be found most mornings discussing the day’s news at The Fishing Hole. He was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed many fishing trips where he always caught “the biggest fish” with friends and family on the rivers and lakes near his home.

With a personality that filled the room and a knack for being able to talk to anyone, Roger was a welcoming host who loved entertaining. He frequently made his famous apple pie for guests and was the first one up to make breakfast in the morning. He often liked to end the day with a card or board game and especially looked forward to beating his grandchildren at Aggravation and Mexican Train.

Roger is survived by his wife of 60 years, Susan King; his sister Susan Lloyd; his daughters Carrie Watson and Donna Boss, son Joe King, son-in-laws Joe Watson and Jeff Boss and daughter-in-law Banasha King; as well as his 8 grandchildren: Jack, Will and Isabel Watson, Hannah, Haleigh and Halena Boss, and Sheena and Lily King. As a husband, father, brother, grandfather and dear friend, Roger was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.