LONNIE JAMES KING
October 21, 1923 - January 27, 2012
Lonnie J. King, 88, of Stanwood, passed away at his home early Friday morning, Jan. 27, 2012.
He was born Oct. 21, 1923, to Everett Bradley and Gletha (Bastin) King in Hustonville, Ky. He was raised during the depression and worked on the family farm until joining the United States Navy. He served during World War II as a motor mechanic on a destroyer escort, the USS Wesson DE-184, in the South Pacific.
Lonnie married Dolores Schacht in 1954 in Chicago, Ill., where he worked as a mechanic for Murphy Motors. They later moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where Lonnie worked for the Read- Mullen Motor Company and they started a family. After encouragement from snowbird friends, Porter and Mabel Garrison, Lonnie and family moved to Camano Island in 1968, and shortly thereafter, settled in Stanwood. He worked for Twin City Foods as a mechanic out at the “farm shop” for 18 years until retiring in 1986.
Lonnie spent many years raising livestock and working a small f arm. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a skilled marksman and, in earlier years, comp peted in long-range rifle shooting. His real love was his huge garden and growing and preserving his own food. He was best known for his pickled asparagus, dilly beans and pork sausage. Lonnie will be remembered for his gift of gab, he had plenty of stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings, George King, Vernon King, Charles King, Mabel Thompson and Blanche Chadwell, nephew Everett Claypool, as well as Dolores King, and longtime companion, Eva Payne.
He is survived by his children, David King (Heather) of Snohomish, Carole Ruble (Jim) of Stanwood, Michael King (Stacy) of Lancaster, Ky., and Lori Snow (Jason) of Blaine. Also, grandchildren Brandon King, Stephanie Walker, Emery Snow and Avery Snow and great-grandchildren, Aiden and Rian Klotz. He is also survived by a daughter, Gletha Sue Smith of Indiana.
Lonnie will make one final trip to Kentucky as his remains will be buried at the King family plot. There will be an open house at his residence on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 3-6 p.m., if you would l ike to s top by and have one last toast to Lonnie J. King. He wouldn't want it any other way.
