Ronald "Ron" King

Ronald Joe “Ron” King, 59, slipped peacefully away on Sunday, October 14, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Ron’s constant companion and caregiver to the very end was his loving wife of 39 years, Kim. Born to Billie and Lee King on December 5, 1958, in Lubbock, Texas, Ron was the middle of three sons. He played Little League baseball, was a Boy Scout, a DeMolay and an active member of the youth group of Second Baptist Church. While he departed this life like a lamb, Ron lived his life with a lion’s heart of courage and a big personality. Ron found laughter easily and delighted in sharing a good story to bring a smile to those he encountered.

At age 14, Ron lied about his age and secured a job as a grocery sacker, using his earnings to pay for his first car, a Buick Regal. He graduated from Lubbock Monterey High School in 1977 and continued working in the grocery business to pay his way through college. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1982, where he developed a lifelong love for all things Texas Tech. He was a loyal Tech fan, watching every game donned in Tech gear. Ron was always well dressed and in a manner appropriate to the event, whether for an important business meeting, a scouting project or a sporting event.

In 1979, Ron married Kim Sharp and they moved to Amarillo shortly after college graduation in 1982, where Ron began a very successful sales career, working for Nabisco and Campbell’s. Ron transitioned his sales experience into the world of medical sales in 1986, taking them to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they made their permanent home and many good friends.  Ron’s warm, gregarious personality was well suited for his work and he received many sales awards throughout his years of service. By the time of his retirement, Ron had become a senior account manager with Novartis, specializing in the field of oncology medications and serving New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Texas.

Ron’s greatest joy and the role he valued most was as a father to Tanner Bernard King, born in 1998. Ron shared his love of golf with Tanner and they learned to become woodworkers together, with the help of Ron’s father-in-law, George Sharp. Scouting became Tanner’s passion and Ron was a very involved dad, sharing trips to the Catalina Islands, Grand Canyon and many, many campouts. Less than a year after Ron’s diagnosis with lung cancer and surgery to remove a significant portion of his lung, he paddled 106 miles in a canoe in the Boundary Waters of the Canadian-American border in order to share the Scouting experience with his beloved son. The scouts later honored Ron’s contribution to the troop by naming him to the Order of the Arrow, in which he reached the rank of Vigil. When Tanner earned the rank of Eagle Scout, Ron was extremely proud of Tanner’s accomplishment and spoke at the Court of Honor ceremony.

Ron was a friend to many, serving as a deacon and church leader in several congregations. His perseverance and positive attitude throughout his eight years of cancer treatment was inspirational to many.

Ron is survived by his wife, Kim King of the home, son, Tanner King of Portales, New Mexico, brother and sister-in-law, Rob and Susan King of Austin, Texas, brother and sister-in-law Ray and Jackie King of Lewisville, Texas. He is also survived by mother-in-law, Shirley Sharp, aunt, Bobbi Bernard and  brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Scott and Nancy Sharp, all of  Lubbock, Texas, in addition to numerous nephews and nieces.

Ron was preceded in death by parents, Billie and Lee King, father-in-law, George Sharp, and infant son RJ King. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Great Southwest Council, BSA, 5841 Office Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 or Monte Vista Christian Church, 3501 Campus Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 or New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation, 4901 Lang Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.