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Gordon Lavar King

05/05/1954 - 10/08/2016
Service Date: 10/22/2016
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1430 N. Grand, Mesa, Arizona

Gordon Lavar King died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, on October 8, 2016, in Mesa, AZ. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his battle and ultimately gave him peace.

Gordon was born on May 5, 1954, in Douglas, Cochise, Arizona to Dale Glines King and Frances Merrell. As a child, Gordon was always involved in many things, enjoyed life to the fullest, and made many friends.

Gordon helped in many ways at the Circle K Ranch (family youth summer camp in Colorado). As a very young boy he was known to cut a willow branch, attach a few hairs he jerked out of a horse’s tail, attach a bent safety pin and attach a fresh dug worm. He could pull many cutthroat trout out of the small mountain streams and put the city guys with their fancy fishing gear and bait to shame. As he got older he was especially handy in helping his father in construction and repair work around the camp.  This ingenuity and ability were exhibited in all of his business and service endeavors throughout his life.

In school he was active in chorus and wrestling. He really excelled in football at William S. Hart High School in Newhall, California.  

Gordon served in the Washington Seattle Mission. After his mission he helped his mother manage the Circle K Ranch. There he got reacquainted with Nancy Elin Davies from Newhall, California. They were married that fall on September 10, 1976, in Los Angeles, California.

He excelled in his role as father by spending a great deal of time with his five children, teaching them and playing with them. They lived in Texas, Utah, Nevada and Arizona.

Gordon has been a hard worker throughout his life. He had many interesting jobs over the years including hog farming, construction, working on an oil rig, digging worms, shooting training bombs at military planes, commercial fishing, operating a plant nursery, owning a flower shop, managing a produce warehouse, mining, selling medical devices, and inventing new plastic composites.

Gordon was blessed with numerous opportunities to travel. He especially loved traveling to China on business trips. He also traveled a great deal to Shipshewana, Indiana, to visit an Amish community to buy horses and developed close friendships with many people there.

Gordon was great fun to be around. He loved playing practical jokes and teasing everyone around him. He loved working with animals and liked to go fishing at any opportunity.

Gordon is survived by his children; Elin (Richard) Daniel, Bryan King, Randy (Vanessa) King, Bradley (Socorro) King, Lizzy (Brian) Cupples; 8 grandchildren: Gerrit, Hadley, Henry, Peyton, McKenna, Ephraim, Julia, and Jane; and spouse Kimberly King. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dale & Frances King, and his brother, Val King.

A funeral is scheduled for October 22, 2016, 11:00am, preceded by a viewing from 9:00am-10:30am at the Mesa Arizona Lehi Stake Center, 1430 N Grand, Mesa, AZ 85201. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gordon’s life. In lieu of flowers please donate to LDS Philanthropies (https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/).  

Condolences

  • Rosemary Ghirardi

    So sorry for your loss, Lizzy and family. I enjoyed meeting your dad at your wedding. I am so glad he could be there to make that very special memory.

  • I have many fond memories of the King family and of Gordon. My condolences to all of you on the loss of a beloved member of your family. May God send his Comforter to you all.
    Scott

  • Cheryll & Sammi Mercado

    We express our condolences to the entire King family upon the death of your brother Gordon but at least he isn’t suffering anymore. I am sure he was a great husband father bro etc and will be missed greatly. Until we meet again

  • The King family has been a great part of my family’s life since Gordon’a sister, Cindy became engage to my brother, Grant. Gordon and his siblings have been almost as close as my own brother’s and sisters. I am saddened that Gordon died so young, but confident that he will be welcomed in heaven for his many talents and abilities he is willing to share. May Heavenly Father bless this dear family during this sad time and bring joy to them in the eternities.

  • Florian Adu Kausche

    As we mourn the lost of a great man..a wonderful father and grand fatherI express My deepest condolence to the King family…God be with this great man till we meet again

  • What an adventuresome life Gordon led. An inspiration to many to live life to its fullest. Godspeed Gordon!

  • Over the last 3 years I got to know Gordon personally, he was a Friend, had a driven spirit about him. He was always mixing humor with Candor. loved to tease but was direct in his dealings with people. I would dish it back to him and he would ramp up the game. He will be surely missed as our Home Teacher, LeeAnn and I loved his friendship and when he was done with something he was DONE ! May he now find peace but be busy in the work of the Lord. Take care my friend

  • May the Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept my sincere condolences.

  • James and Nancy Hall

    Oh we wish we could’ve known the grandpa Gordon King! We have enjoyed knowing his sons and grandchildren–Randy and Vanessa’s sweet family. We are sorry for the loss of such a generous, fun, loving, fun-loving and God loving man and patriarch of this family. We are thankful for his influence in the world. Sending our love.

  • Condolences to the King family. We all look forward to the promise at Isaiah 33:24 – “no resident will way, I am sick”. Our enemy death, will be swallowed up forever (Isaiah 25:8). When these promises are fulfilled, we will enjoy life the way our Grand Creator purposed for us…forever. (Psalms 37:11, 29)

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