Hiram “Hi” William King Jr.
Hiram “Hi” William King, Jr. of Council Grove, KS passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, at Olathe Hospice House on June 17, 2023, at the age of 93.
Hi was born in junction City, KS on July 31, 1929, to Hiram William King and Magdalena Anna Maria Langvardt King. He graduated from Junction City High School in the class of 1947. Hi moved on to Kansas State University where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. While attending KSU, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After college, Hi served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. He was a member of the Wilsey Christian Church.
Hiram is survived by his beloved dog Bella, sons Hiram Rex, Robert (wife Kathy) of Cottonwood Falls, KS, and Stephen (wife Lynne d.) of Merriam, KS, and daughter Jan Sloan (husband Shawn) of Mason, OH. Also survived by in-laws Warren and Connie Gaston of Layton, UT and Gerald and Jayna Gaston of Topeka, KS. He will be fondly remembered by his 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Jean, who died as an infant, and his loving wife of 63 years, Patricia Lou (Gaston). Also preceded by in-laws Dorothy and Bill Klein of Topeka, KS, and Marjorie and Wilbert Greer of Wilsey, KS.
Hi married Patricia Lou Gaston in Junction City, KS on January 27, 1952. They lived in various locations in Kansas as they started their family. While working in the grocery industry for both A&P and Safeway, they lived in Topeka, Manhattan, Olathe, Ottawa, and Leavenworth, KS. He began working for JC Penney in 1964 and the family moved to Omaha, NE where he made a career as a sales Manager until his retirement in 1991 at the age of 62. Upon retirement he and Pat moved to Bella Vista, AR to play golf and enjoy the easy life. Hi continued to work part-time with the maintenance staff at the local golf courses meticulously grooming the tees and greens. They enjoyed 10 years in Bella Vista entertaining guests before returning to Council Grove, KS in 2001 to be closer to their family. Always a lover of the outdoors and gardening, Hi continued to work part-time at the Neosho Gardens Plant nursery until Feb. 2020. Without exception he was early to bed and early to rise, officially retiring at the age of 91.
Hi had many hobbies but especially loved playing golf and watching all sports. He enjoyed spending time with family, playing cards, watching Jeopardy, doing crossword puzzles, and any activities or games involving numbers. He instilled the values of hard work and passes along his legacy for love of flowers and dogs to his family. When he was no longer able to care for his cherished rescue dog Bella, she found a new home through Imagine Furever Ranch sanctuary for elderly dogs.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Hiram’s memory to: Imagine Furever Ranch Senior Dog Rescue & Sanctuary, 20720 W. 47th St., Shawnee, KS 66218, 913214-2228, www.imaginefureverranch. org or Olathe Health Hospice House, 15310 S. Marion St., Olathe, KS 66061, 913-324-8588, www. olathehealth.org More information on a “Celebration of Life” gathering to be held Sunday Sept. 3, 2023, to follow.
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