Randall Lee King

Randall Lee King
1943 ~ 2020
Our beloved father, Papa, and friend, Randall Lee King, were reunited with loved ones on June 23, 2020. His daughter, Christina was by his side and his close family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were all with him in mind and spirit as we surrounded him with extreme pride, joy, happiness, and unconditional love, though we were physically separated.

Randall was born on December 9, 1943, at Camp Atterbury, IN to his parents, William Randall King and Helen Lydia Sanders. William died on March 6, 1960, and as was common during those times, Helen married his brother, Walter Don King in 1962. Don had 3 children from his previous marriage, and they continued life as a blended family. Randall overcame a challenging early childhood and moved on to become a Sterling Scholar for math and science in High School. His experiences lead to his choices in life and how he treated others; the cowboy way as if stepping out of an old western movie. A true gentleman, soft-spoken, loving, and always doing what he could to help. He was quick to make anyone smile, always easy going, with a great sense of honor and civility, but firm when needed.

He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, working on F-4 aircraft during the Vietnam conflict and later on F-16s. On November 11, 1967, he married Nancy Jean Pettengill with her son, Steven, who was 3 years old at that time. We love the story of how they met; she got Randall just drunk enough to dance with her! Then together they cut a new trail as they raised their family. We often forget, though we hold it close to our hearts, that he adopted Steve before Tina and Bonnie were born. We were his children and we were a complete family through this loving act.

Randall was one of those rare and disappearing quiet giants, working in the background, without fanfare or recognition, who accomplished the actual work required to make the world run. He had an amazing sense of duty and loyalty, always willing to lend a hand in any endeavor, especially for those lucky individuals who were part of his close circle of family and friends.

He was a very accomplished man with the brain of a scientist and the soul of an artist. He had the Periodic Table memorized and could build or fix anything he set his mind to. He built our first color television from scratch. He seemed to know a lot about any subject under discussion, though he always managed to attribute the knowledge to others because above all he was humble and gracious. He was a quiet artist and played the guitar, mandolin, or banjo usually for an audience of one, though others were secretly listening down the hallway. We were occasionally successful in prevailing upon him to play during family events with Dad on guitar, Uncle Brian on bass, Uncle Darrel on banjo, and everyone else singing, tapping feet, and clapping along. He cherished time spent with friends and family through all the family reunions, and camping, fishing, and hunting trips. He was a hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, who loved the outdoors in any venue from desert to mountain to beaches and open ocean. Every interaction he had with his family was full of laughter and genuine joy just to be together. He instilled all these amazing traits in his children, who are passing them on to their children, giving them the tools of honor, courtesy, a hunger for knowledge, a strong work ethic, and a deep love of art, science, and nature. The world will continue to function because of people like Randall and because he passed these traits on.

He retired from his civilian career from Hill Air Force Base as an Aircraft Electrician at Flight Test. He obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying single-engine aircraft and slyly passing a little bag of peanuts to his passengers during the flight. The last few years were spent in Washington, but his heart was always in Utah with his family and friends.

He rides into the sunset to return to his wife and best friend, Nancy; his parents; brother, Darrell; Father- and Mother-in-law, Frederick H Pettengill, and Jean Evelyn Capfer.

Randall is survived by his brother, Michael (Sonja); brother, Joe Neal; sister-in-law, Maggie; sister-in-law Sonja and Lorna, sister-in-law. The trail he leaves is now followed by his three children, Steven, Christina (Daniel), and Bonnie; Daughter-in-Law JuLee, eight grandchildren, Kaili, Robin, Gates, Sasha, Logan, Jason, Terrica, and James; seven great-grandchildren, Garath, Charlie Anne, Dante, Sky, Sandra, Jaxson, and Stolus; and a large and loving extended family along with many friends and neighbors.

On July 6, 2020, the viewing and graveside service will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy UT 84092. The viewing will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. and graveside service will be from 11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.