Obituaries
Harold G. “Hal” King, 82
October 14, 1938 - December 24, 2020
Harold “Hal” King, 82, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 at The Mennonite Home of Lancaster. He was born in 1938, in Lancaster County, PA, to the late Earl and Emma (Byler) King. In 1959, when on 1-W Service, he met and later married Marti Landes of Denver, CO. They were married 58 years when she preceded him in death in 2018.
Hal is survived by three children, Debra (Robin) Helmuth, Indianapolis, IN, Randall King, Atlanta, GA, Bradley (Cindy) King, Surfside Beach, SC; two grandchildren, Allison (Greg) Nixon and Nicholas (Lilianna) Helmuth; and two great-grandchildren, Elise Nixon and Audrey Nixon. Hal is also survived by three siblings, Loretta (Jacob) Lapp, Janie (Jay) Bullock, and Ronald (Thelma) King.
Throughout his years, Hal was a member of Akron Mennonite Church, Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster and First Mennonite of Denver (Colorado).
Hal’s father, Earl King, incorporated his building business in 1969 bringing in both sons, Harold and Ronald, to form Earl King, Inc. and where he spent the bulk of his career. He was a past president of the Building Industry Association and a director of Tel Hai Retirement Community for many years.
With the love of the West Hal shared with Marti, they moved back to Denver, Colorado in 1997, where they had begun their married life together. While back in Colorado, Hal used his skills as a carpenter for son Brad’s construction company and others. He traveled, golfed, biked, skied and assisted in elder care of his in-laws. Hal and Marti returned to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 2018.
Hal lives on in the unwavering and upbeat spirit which he exemplified no matter the situation and in the way he desired to stay connected to family and friends scattered across the miles. Hal loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. He was always up for a visit from them to share stories, and of course, treat them to ice cream!
The family expresses gratitude to the staff at the Mennonite Home Communities, the staff of Davita in Lancaster and Denver for their years of caring and compassionate dialysis as well as the many skilled surgeons, other physicians and staff who optimized his situation for quality of life.
Cremation will take place with burial at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO, at a later date. A memorial service will be planned also at a later time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Mennonite Central Committee at donate.mcc.org, Water Street Mission at www.wsm.org. American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org, or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
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Condolences to the Family
December 29, 2020
Hal’s gentle spirit and loyal friendship to those he loved is his signature. I admire the father-daughter relationship with Deb; your mutual love and support were admirable. He and Marti were a team to remember. We hold many good memories of our times together. Our thoughts are with your family.
Priscilla and Don Ziegler
December 29, 2020
Harold was a great role model for me as a young contractor. He was fair, honest, easy to talk with, treated subs and employees well, wasn’t consumed with himself, and paid his bills.
Joe Ranck
December 29, 2020
It is with deep sadness that I write this note. Hal as a wonderful man and such a gentleman. I became better acquainted with Hal and Marti as I represented them as their Realtor as they relocated back to Lancaster from Colorado, and as Hal then moved to Senior Living. Hal was always a pleasure to work for, talk to, and visit. Hal always had a wonderful attitude and and when I would ask how he was doing, he would always answer, “i am doing pretty good today!” My deepest condolences to Deb, Brad, Randy and Hal’s entire family, and friends in Colorado and Lancaster. He will be missed by me and many others. May your wonderful memories of Hal be of comfort to you in the days to follow.
.
Karen Wolf
December 28, 2020
Harold was a classmate of mine at Lancaster Mennonite School (in those days). Ours was the class of ’56.
Though we were not real close friends, congeniality would describe our times together. May the family be sustained by wonderful memories of their father, grandfather and great grandfather’s love for them.
A RICHARD WEAVER
December 28, 2020
We were saddened to hear of Harold’s passing. Our condolences to the King family. May your memories comfort you in the days and weeks to come. John & Donna Sauder
December 28, 2020
To the Harold King Family, with my affection. I am so saddened to learn of Hal’s passing. I was first acquainted in earlier years, but grew a close connection at church after he moved back to Lancaster. I admired his gentle strength and his relaxed way of being a friend, appreciating also the relaxed way he went about his life.
You will surely be sustained by his gift as you live your lives.
Urbane Peachey
December 27, 2020
My thoughts and prayers for the family during this time.
Naomi Helmuth
December 27, 2020
As a youth at Maple Grove in Atglen, PA , we boys looked up to Harold as a role model. My sympathy to his family. Also sympathy to Loretta, Jane and Ron who are loosing a fine brother. Dan Nafziger
December 26, 2020
To Deb, Randy and Brad and your families…..
Carl and I are so sad to know of Hal’s passing. Hal and Marti were great friends for so many years, here in Colorado as well as in Pennsylvania. Hal will be remembered as a great golfer (with Carl) and both Hal and Marti were our life long friends, getting together and sharing our life stories all along the way. Mountain adventures, cooking and gardening…. we were always sharing stories. Hal grew the best heirloom tomatoes here in Denver, I so envied his expertise! What a wonderful friend. Carl and I will forever miss him and remember all the wonderful times we had together.
Carl and Elaine Martin
