Dr. Edward Lee King

1924 - 2012

Dr. Edward Lee King, 88, of Manhattan, Mont., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 28, 2012. He was born in Columbus, Ohio to Cassandra (McConchie) and James King on Feb. 9th, 1924. He passed away at home of natural causes.

During his second year at Ohio State he was drafted into WWII. He served with the 1st Calvary in the Philippines and later became part of the occupational forces stationed in Japan. Upon completion of his military service he reentered Ohio State majoring in Pre Med. He completed Medical training at Case Western Reverse in Cleveland, Ohio in 1951.

While attending Ohio State he met Elisabeth Brown at a Young Christians Bible Study. He married the love if his life, Elisabeth (Betty) Brown on June 11, 1949. The newlyweds came out west in 1951 to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation to serve his residence at the Government Health Agency in Browning, Mont. However within six months he left the Agency to start a private practice to the Blackfeet in downtown Browning with Betty at his side as his nurse. A short stay turned into 10 years of service to the Blackfeet. During that time he served as the Glacier County Coroner for several years. He was also instrumental in starting a Christian Sunday School for young Blackfeet children in Browning.

While in Browning, Doc and Betty had two children, David and Therese.

In 1961 the family moved to Manhattan and Doc began a family practice for the town of Manhattan and the surrounding area. The Kings added another member to the family, Laura.

It would be safe to say that Dr. King had an unbounded love for his patients and the town of Manhattan itself. He practiced medicine where house calls and being on call 24/7were the norm. He took care of many patients from birth into adulthood. During 20 of his 30-year practice in Manhattan, Dr. King also served as Gallatin County Health Officer. As the Health Officer he overlooked many areas including child immunizations and water quality. Doc also served on the Gallatin County Landfill Board for many years.

Doc also had a long time involvement with the WWAMI Medical Program at MSU where he was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine. He mentored numerous first year medical students at his office and home in Manhattan. And as part of that process Doc donated his remains to WWAMI for further study.

Doc also found time and considered it a privilege to serve many years on the Board of the Christian Supply and Book Store in Bozeman.

After he retired from his practice in Manhattan in 1991 he served 5 years at the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs. It was a 9 to 5 job that he enjoyed very much. When Doc and Betty moved back to Manhattan, Dad once again served the town of Manhattan by being elected to the Town Council. Doc always had the best interest of Manhattan at heart.

He was a longtime member of the Manhattan Bible Church where he served as deacon and leader of adult Sunday School classes.

Doc loved gardening. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and spent many happy days doing so with his wife and friends in the West Yellowstone area, the Bridger Mountains as well as other parts of Gallatin County.

He was preceded in death by his father, his mother, and his two brothers Robert Wilford King and Howard Bayard King.

Doc is survived by his wife Betty, son David King, Daughters Therese King and Laura (A.J.) Niemi, and by his grandchildren Taylor Niemi, Braedon Niemi, Kira Niemi and Caitlin Niemi.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm, Monday, March 5, at the Manhattan Bible Church with the presentation of the United States flag. Following the service will be a time of refreshments and remembrance of Doc's life in the basement of the Church.

Memorials may be made to the Manhattan Volunteer Fire Department at PO Box 911 Manhattan, MT 59741 and/or to the Salvation Army at PO Box 1307, Bozeman, MT 59771.Please make memorials in remembrance of Doc King so that the family can thank you for your gift.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.