Thomas Taylor King

Tom was the son of Francis P. King and Jane Taylor King of Spokane. He was adopted from the Cradle Society of Evanston IL in Aug 1945, and was transported home to North Idaho where his father was stationed at Farragut Naval Station. He lived in the Spokane area nearly his entire life.

He graduated from Saint Georges School in l963. After a year of active duty in Vietnam for the U S Navy he graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University. He then joined his father in the operation and management of Good Business Forms Inc. which he purchased in 1976. Recent years have found him at Lowes and the south hill Ace Hardware, utilizing his natural handy-man and conversation skills, while repairing your garden and snow removal equipment.

Tom married in June of l973, to Betty Jane Whiting and became an instant family man, a role that he took to immediately. Sons, Keith David, John Richard (Jack) and Thomas Howard (Pard) completed the family unit in 1975. Later they were joined by lovely daughters-in law, Anne Marie, Michele and Phu followed by 8 terrific grandchildren Jeremy, Sarah, Jessica, Daniel, Maggie, Catherine, Evelyn and Hannah. Now great grandson Joseph completes the King family for now. His sister Nancy also lives in Spokane.

Tom was active in the Boy Scouts as both Cub and Scout Master. He also coached and later refereed SYSA soccer teams. The Down Town Kiwanis fueled his desire to help, and his love of woodworking lead him to the Catholic Charities workshop which occupied an afternoon a week of his retirement. His favorite activity was watching his grandkid’s sporting events and musical performances. However, being the sportsman he always was, he loved cheering on the Zags and any hockey game available.

As Stefanie Pettit of the Spokesman Review wrote of her husband about 3 years ago, Tom also "was the kind of guy you want in your Conestoga, when you travel across the prairie. He can fix and do nearly everything himself, and took pride in being self-reliant. He was a just walk it off kind of guy." And his pride in his family was # 1.

Please join us for the Celebration of Tom's life November 5 at 2:00pm at Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home 1306 N Monroe. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart Association or charity of your choice would be much appreciated.