J. D. King

J. D. "Jay" King was born July 10, 1927, in Seymour Texas, to Ida Rachael and George A. D. King. He joined three older siblings, Wilburn, Lloyd and Gladys. J. D. was affectionately called "Buddy" by his Mother, was a popular boy in school with many friends, and worked hard with his father hauling freight. He passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, March 1, 2015 in Casper, Wyoming at the age of 87.

J. D. graduated from high school in 1945 and headed to California to work in the oil fields. He also worked in the oil fields in Texas and Wyoming. While in Wyoming, he met and married Dagmaar (Donnie) Hokanson in Newcastle, Wyoming on June 13, 1949. They continued to follow the rigs around Wyoming and Montana until settling permanently at Hamilton Dome, Wyoming. He and Donnie, by then the parents of Linda, Larry and Dale, did not want their children to have to keep attending different schools.

In November of 1966, J. D. and the family moved to Moorcoft, Wyoming after J. D. accepted a job with True Oil Company. While in Moorcroft, J. D. worked as an operator in the True gas plant. In 1973, J. D. transferred to Arnegard, North Dakota to work in the True gas plant there. It was always a dream of J. D. and Donnie to own and operate a motel, so in 1981, they built and operated The Kings Inn in Culbertson, Montana. J. D. loved to collect and research coins. He was also very interested in finance, spending countless hours reading financial periodicals. J. D. was also an avid bowler and served on the Culbertson City Council. While in Culbertson he worked for Koch where he won several awards and cash prizes for suggestions. He then worked for Phillips Petroleum before retiring in 1992. J. D. and Donnie sold the King's Inn and moved to Newcastle, Wyoming to enjoy their retirement. Donnie passed away on January 29,1999 in Newcastle.

On February 14, 2003 he married Lela Eckard in Spearfish, South Dakota. J.D. and Lela enjoyed 12 wonderful years together and he always considered himself blessed to have found love twice. They resided in Sundance, Wyoming until moving to Casper in September of 2012.

J. D. was a life long active member of the Church of Christ and especially treasured living and worshiping in Casper where his step-son Chuck is the Minister.

He is survived by his wife Lela in Casper, daughter Linda Blakeman (Al) of Gillette, Wyoming, son Larry King (Gerri) of Auburn, Washington, son Dale King (Jane) of Hinckley, OH, step-son Chuck Mathews (Vicki) of Casper, Wyoming, step-daughter Kathie Scheurman (Bob) of Houston, Texas, his especially treasured little sister Peggy Roempke of Texas City, Texas, as well as numerous grand children and great grand children. He was greatly loved and will be sadly missed.

Services will be held at the Church of Christ, 2344 East 2nd , Casper, Wyoming on Thursday, March 5th at 9:00am. Graveside Services and burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Newcastle at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Central Wyoming Hospice, 319 S. Wilson St., Casper, Wyoming 82601 (www.cwhp.org).

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