David Edward King

David Edward King lost a lengthy battle to cancer on January 26th, 2022. He was welcomed into the world August 28th, 1959, in Klamath Falls, OR by parents Frank & Virginia King as well as older sisters, Holly & Laurie. He grew up in Copic Bay outside of Tulelake. He attended school in Newell through 8th grade. He was a proud Tulelake Honker where he graduated in 1977. He attended Shasta Jr. college in Redding and then transferred into Cal Poly SLO where he received a degree in Ag Business. In March 1981, close to college graduation, David met his future wife, Robin Brechtel, when they were both attendants in a wedding party back in the Basin. On April 17, 1982, they tied the knot. This year would have marked their 40-year wedding anniversary.

Together they started the next chapter working on building a successful farming operation in Malin and Tulelake as Robin continued her career in Physical Therapy. In 1986 was the arrival of the first of their “We Three Kings” with Angelina. Cameron joined the party in 1988 and last but not least Whitney completed the team in 1991. In September of 1997, David was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). After multiple unresponsive treatments, David went to Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA for a bone marrow transplant in April of 1999. His youngest daughter, Whitney, was his bone marrow donor at age 8. Despite his health challenges he enjoyed taking the kids skiing at Mt. Shasta, fishing & camping at Medicine Lake, family vacations to Eagle Crest and houseboating at Shasta Lake. He loved being outdoors hunting, fishing, and golfing. From a young age he was extremely interested in flight starting with gliding.

In his early 20s he got his pilot’s license. When seeking out a plane, the requirements included room for one other person and 2 sets of golf clubs. David was active in the Tulelake Rotary Club, Oregon Hay Growers, and Klamath Basin Water Users. Over the years he helped with youth sports, community and civic projects, as well as opportunities to educate people on Agriculture, especially the issues specific to the Klamath Basin. One King claim to fame was the annual sponsorship of the Greased Pig Scramble at the Tulelake Butte Valley Fair.

The icing on the cake of life were his grandchildren: Blake, George, Kamdyn, and Tana. Seven years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, and it returned this past April. He underwent additional removal surgery but it reappeared Dec 2021. Despite considerable pain and other health challenges, David tried to live life to its fullest.

David was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia King. He leaves behind his father, Frank L. King, Jr.; his wife, Robin; children, Angelina King, Cameron King, and Whitney (Jason) Cantrell; sisters, Holly (Steve) King, Laurie (Roger) Piepenbrink; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to: Tulelake Volunteer Fire Dept or the Tulelake Rotary Club Scholarship Fund in David’s honor. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday Feb.19th at 10:30 AM at the Tulelake Fire Hall in Tulelake CA.