Francis King Obituary

Francis Primbs King, a prominent attorney in Denver for several decades, died at his Cheesman Park home Friday, July 19. He was 82. Beginning in 1959 with Dawson Nagel Sherman & Howard and later with Lentz Evans & King, Frank King practiced business and tax law in Denver for more than 50 years. Frank was born May 9, 1931, in Pocatello, Idaho, where he and his brother, George, were raised by their mother Mary Primbs King. His mother, a native of Pretoria, South Africa, immigrated to the United States in 1907 with her family. Her parents were natives of Passau and Munich, Bavaria. The Primbs family lived in Brooklyn briefly before moving to Idaho in 1909. Growing up in Idaho, he found a spiritual connection to the mountains which would last his entire life. His boyhood in Idaho was idyllic in many ways, roaming the hills around Pocatello, camping in the Sawtooth Range and earning the rank of Eagle Scout. His mother was an avid hiker and she took her sons to the Tetons every summer where they would swim in the frigid waters of String Lake. Frank's cousins taught him to ski and he developed a lifelong love for the sport, which he later passed along to his children. During high school, he swept the floors at his uncle's printing shop to earn money to go skiing. In 1949, he graduated from Pocatello High School, where he had excelled on the football, ski and track teams, as well as many student groups. After turning down a football scholarship to BYU, he accepted a Columbia College National Scholarship. He attended Columbia from 1949 until he followed the professional option program into Columbia Law School in 1952. Four years of naval service interrupted his schooling and he served as a communications officer on several types of vessels that delivered fighter jets to different US military installations. Frank sailed about 160,000 miles, including multiple visits to Japan and Europe, and received a promotion to lieutenant (junior grade). Returning to New York City after his 1957 honorable discharge from the military, he completed his final two years of law school. He served as an editor of the Columbia Law Review and was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He settled in Denver in 1959 and joined the law firm of Dawson Nagel Sherman & Howard as an associate. He became a partner of that firm in 1968. In 1972, he became a founding partner of Lentz Evans & King law firm (now Robinson, Diss & Clowdus), where he practiced law for the remainder of his career. He was an expert in corporations, corporate tax and business law and represented many prominent Colorado businesses. He was often described as a "lawyer's lawyer." The same year he moved to Denver, he married Kendrick Townsend. They had four children: Anna Marie, Christopher, Catherine and Elizabeth. Frank and his children shared many wonderful times skiing, hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains. An experienced mountaineer, Frank climbed peaks on four continents. He climbed to enjoy the beauty and solitude of the mountains, reaching the summit of 51 of Colorado's Fourteeners as well as many other peaks. He was an environmentalist and enthusiastically supported the protection of the American wilderness. In 1995, he married Susan Healy Smart. They were married for 18 years during which time they traveled, hiked and enjoyed a deeply loving life together. She was by his side at the end of his life. He thought of her two daughters, Healy and Alexandra, as his own. Frank, a consistently kind and generous man, overcame many challenges in life with joyful determination and a smile. He will be missed by his family and a multitude of friends. Frank is survived by his four children: Anna Marie King (Theo Parisek), Christopher King; Catherine King (Larry LaPensee), and Elizabeth King Humphrey (Philip Humphrey), ten grandchildren: Alexander and Benjamin Parisek; Andrea, Cari Anna and Conrad King; Tabor and Lyden LaPensee; and Veronica, Mac and Petra Humphrey; two stepdaughters: Healy Parks (Ted Parks, MD) and Alexandra Smart, MD (Daniel Tipton) and five stepgrandchildren: Shelby, Hudson and Walker Parks; and Sawyer and Piper Tipton. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, July 26 at The Cathedral Basilica of Immaculate Conception, 401 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, 607 10th St., Golden, CO 80401, 303-278-7650; Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, 600 So. Marion Pkwy, Denver, CO 80209, 303-715-1010 or Food Bank of the Rockies, Box 151560, Lakewood, CO 80215, 720-473-6323.

Published by Denver Post on Jul. 24, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Francis King

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Nice reminder today of a very special, nice man ! Really miss Francis, especially seeing him every few yearS at a family get together; always knew Francis would be there if he could. Sure he is now having a great time, on the other side with my Mom, Valerie Primbs Routzong and their other family members who have passed on. Love Everyone, Ed and Sue Routzong.

Ed Routzong

Friend

July 18, 2020

Susan, AnnaMarie, Catherine, Chris, and Elizabeth:

I can't believe its been 7 years since your dad passed. We all have very found memories of your dad and loved his love of the mountains and his outdoor spirit and zest for life. Loved seeing the picture of Francis, uncle Bob and our mom below at the 2005 reunion.

I hope all is well!

God Bless Francis!

Jim Routzong

Jim ROUTZONG

Family

July 18, 2020

Frank was one of my favorites at the gym. I will miss him greatly!

Mark McIntosh

July 27, 2013

Mark & Marie Longfield

July 25, 2013

As Joanne's husband and the name of FRANK (Francis) I always enjoyed out time with Francis and Father George when we made our family reunion--- knowing how close they were to each other they can be the saints in our lives to be with us to know we are loved and to be with us on our earthly journey. Love you Francis and Father George and our love to your family. Loss my sister to ovarian cancer 4-7-13 and a brother from MS last year 3-30-12! Frank ( Joanne's husband in Houston)

Frank Simcik

July 25, 2013

My heart goes out to all of you - I still can't believe Francis has passed on to his next glorious life. I can imagine him with his big smile with all his family - I will miss him especially at our family reunions. Thank you so much for the beautiful write up on Francis - I very much enjoyed reading it. I will continue to send many warm thoughts and prayers your way especially during this hard time. My love to Anna Marie Catherine, Chris, Elizabeth, and especially Susan.

Marilyn Routzong/Finke

July 25, 2013

We will all miss him greatly. Francis has been an inspiration to me ever since I was a child. Although we seldom had the chance to visit I frequently thought of him. His memory will always be with me. I send my love and prayers to his family.

Johhn Primbs

July 25, 2013

We always looked forward to seeing Francis at Primbs / Routzong family reunions. He was looked up to as 'the strong rock' of the family; a real leader. God bless you Francis; you lived a great life;and now it is even better.

Ed, Susan, Marc & Scott Routzong

July 25, 2013

Frank: an elegant, thoughtful and delightful man. His smile will illuminate my memories of him.

Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz

July 24, 2013

from a old school mate in greade school GOD BE WITH YOU YOU WILL BE MISSED BY MENNY

HAROLD LIDAY

July 24, 2013

May your cherished memories of him bring you comfort. We are saying prayers for all who loved him.

Marion Gittings

July 24, 2013

Susan, AnnaMarie, Catherine, Chris, and Elizabeth:

We are so sorry and sad to hear of the passing of Francis. He was so cherished and loved by our extended family. He'll be greatly missed, but he leaves with us many found memories especially around our family reunions. He certainly lived big and life to the fullest during his time on Earth. We are comforted to know that he is now in Heaven with his brother Msgr. George and his lovely mother, our dear Aunt Mary.

May God bless all of you.

Jim, Jovita, Valerie, and Victoria Routzong

Jim Routzong

July 23, 2013

Liz, and family,
Mr. King sounds like a heck of a man. He LIVED!

William Mangum

July 23, 2013

I extend my sincerer condolences to the Family and Friends for your loss of Frank King. We met in the dawning years of my profession. Frank guided me, many clients and family through deal after deal with understanding, respect and skill of a true professional without ever compromising his integrity or friendship. A true partner in life, I will surely miss him as I know you all will, God Bless. Loving friend, Sandy Brown

July 23, 2013

What a terrific life he led! My sincerest condolences to all who knew and loved him.

Andrea Weaver

July 23, 2013

I can see where Liz got her charm, intelligence and beauty. As I look at the Rocky Mountains out of my window this morning, I fully understand his love and appreciation for them. Probably though, his children were the joy of his life. I just wish I had had the chance to meet him. Cay and I send our love.

Peter Davis

July 23, 2013

Elizabeth and family, I am very sorry for the loss of your father. May God give you comfort and peace during this time. Remember all the memories you have of your father. They will live on in your hearts. God bless you

Betty Boop Moore

July 23, 2013

Weston Clemmons is sorry for your loss, he sounds like he loved life to the fullest.

July 23, 2013

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