Kale Francis King

The world lost a good soul on Thursday, July 15, 2021. The day that Kale Francis King prayed his last prayer. We held his hands, stroked his head and reminded him of who he will meet in the next life. We prayed as he taught us to pray, and we loved as he loved us. The honor of being with him in the last 36 hours of his life was one neither of us will ever forget. His story began on September 3, 1924, being born to Marion Francis King and Charlotte Adelina Landers King (Addy) on a farm outside of Eaton Colorado. His mother thought she was giving birth to another daughter and was going to call her Marion. What a surprise to have this little boy enter the world and she decided to name him Kale like the vegetable. His sisters Opal and Gladys were 19 and 17 when he came along and they’d lost a 3rd sister just 10 years before. Adeline’s death had taken is toll on Addy and by the time Kale came along, she wasn’t the same mother who raised his sisters. Daddy spoke fondly of his parents and loved them dearly. He may not have received many hugs as a child, but he knew he was loved. His family was a busy farm family and often left the little boy on his own. Recently he shared that there were no children his age so he created little worlds of his own to play in. He built a miniature farm in the dirt behind the barn to play with. He spent time with Tippy (Him tip on him’s tale) his loyal dog while the rest of the family was busy. It was a lonely childhood that informed his commitment to community later in life. He was raised by faith filled people. They attended the Congregational Church and kept God central in their lives. That faith was integral when his mother was taken from him to live in the hospital in 1934. She lived there for the next decade where Daddy visited her and corresponded with her regularly. After his mother left the family home, Daddy lived with his sisters who were then married, Opal to Fred Nichols and Gladys to Art Van Dusen. He spent time with his dad as well through the years. As a young man he lived through the depression which was evident in many ways. He held onto containers to store things in. Going through his “lair” we have found all sorts of treasures in old Altoid tins. He has drawers and shelves full of paper. Post its, and pens. Staples was one his favorite places to go. As a young man he enlisted in the Army to fight in WWII. At the end of basic training, they were asked if anyone could type. Daddy raised his hand and was put to work immediately. He typed the orders for all of the boys he’d been in basic with. His time in WWII was spent in the European Theater as the Company Clerk. He earned 2 Purple Hearts and spent much of his time in the hospital. Years ago when Daddy attended a Timberwolf reunion with my brother, Chris, another soldier came up to Daddy. Kale, I have been waiting years to ask you what happened when I was injured. Daddy chuckled and told him that he didn’t know because he had been taken to the hospital first. What a laugh they shared. The reunion I was able to attend, I caught glimpses of the young man, while Daddy shared stories with his WWII buddies. The man before the God called him to ordained ministry. The GI Bill paid for his education. He studied at Texas A&M and Colorado College. I wish I had known the young man in those years. His lifelong hunger for knowledge was peeked then. His humble handsome being attracted more than 1 young women who thought they’d found the one. He lived a busy life and was introduced to the Episcopal Church. The beauty of the liturgy hooked him and his life would change. He filled in in a variety of churches to be sure there was always a Morning Prayer service. When someone suggested that he seek the priesthood, he responded “the church needs strong lay ministers than weak priests”. Well, God had other ideas. After college he finally heeded the Call and entered seminary at Bexley Hall in Ohio. He was supported by the communities of faith who he’d served as a lay person. On June 16, 1953, he was ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. Soon after that he visited his father in Colorado. It was a strong feeling to visit that appeared to come from nowhere, so he drove to the house. They had a nice visit and then he drove away. Within 24 hours he received the call that his father had had a massive heart attack while watching a high school football game and was gone. Daddy’s first service as an ordained person was his father’s funeral. On December 15, 1953, he was ordained priest. It was the beginning of a long and fruitful life of ordained ministry. From Wyoming to Idaho to Liberia West Africa to Montana to Northern Idaho and back to Wyoming he was called. He shared his love of life, his joy, his faith and his prayers with all. Each parish, members of the congregations, Bishops, Priests and Deacons he served with were prayed for daily. His intercessory prayer book expanded each time he served another group. From the moment someone entered his world, they were prayed for. While he served the church in Rupert Idaho, he met a wonderful young woman who had just finished her Masters of Christian Education. Amory deSaussure Merritt caught his heart. On their 3rd date she asked him “a penny for your thoughts”. He responded with well, “Do you want to take your vacation in Hawai’i, become a teacher or become an Idaho parson’s wife?” Lucky for me she chose to become his wife and they were married on October 8, 1961 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Airy, NC. They drove back to Rupert, Idaho for their honeymoon. The King family adventures started in Rupert, Idaho with the birth of Lucy (King) Groves. Christopher (Chris) King joined the family in Emmett, Idaho. We traveled to South Africa in 1970, moved to Liberia, West Africa in 1972 and learned many lessons. After that Daddy served in Montana and Northern Idaho. He was then called back to the parish in Wheatland, Wyoming where he started. He was welcomed by children and grandchildren of those who knew him in the early years. Such a blessing it was. After retirement he served as an interim and supply priest in the North Carolina and Virginia. Daddy led with is heart. He embraced the teachings of St Francis of Assisi. Our family enjoyed many visits by Franciscan Friars. Daddy was professed into the Society of St Francis while we lived in Emmett Idaho. To his dying day, he was surrounded by the love of St Francis and all those in the community. We all give thanks for the prayers and support of all.We all will miss this amazing man. What a gift is was to have everyone visit him a month ago when he became so ill. He is survived by his Ever Loving, Amory Merritt King. His children Lucy (King) Groves of Boise Idaho and Christopher King (Shelly)of Mary Esther Florida. His grandchildren Cullen Groves (Cecily) of Moscow, Idaho and Aspen Groves (Puck) of Pullman, Washington and Kale E King (K). His first great grandchild, Arthur Austin Groves who he met a month ago and enjoyed every moment of the crawling on his lap. We will miss you, dear sweet man and we hope you will all rejoice with us in his loss of pain. We will celebrate his life on Sunday, July 18th at 4:00 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Mount Airy, NC. Donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, The Society of St Francis or The Third Order (Tssf)