Orbie M. King died on Dec. 20, 2002, at Sutter Davis Hospital. Born on July 29, 1912, in Aloso, Okla., to James and Fannie Sinclair King, he was 90 years old. He had been a resident of Davis for many years.

In his youth, he was a star on the baseball field. In the late 1930s, he coached and managed a local girl's softball team, winning the state championship in 1944.

During World War II, he served as a paratrooper in Europe. In 1946 he married his sweetheart, Clarice Wardrope. When he returned to Davis, he resumed his work for local paint contractor C.B. Williams. Later he worked in the Physical Plant at UC Davis.

He retired in 1974 and, for a while dabbled with oil paints. He enjoyed cooking and baking, but his really joy was his garden and sharing its bounty with friends and neighbors.

He was a happy man and will be missed for his ever-present good nature and sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Henrie Finlay and Jo Reiman; brothers William King and Lee R. King. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Clarice, and his son, Tom King of Davis; and two brothers, James M. King Jr. and Lonnie T. King, both of Phoenix, Ariz. He is further survived by several nieces and nephews in California, Arizona and Oklahoma. At his request, there will be no public funeral service.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association, The Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund or the donor's favorite charity.

(The Davis Enterprise, Davis, CA, 31 Dec 2002) - Courtesy of Tedd Cocker