Lawrence Laverne King

Larry was born July 9, 1937 on the family farm in Iowa to parents Raymond and Gertrude King. His given name is Lawrence LaVerne King. At an early age Larry was given the responsibility of caring for the chickens. Later in life he developed sarcoidosis. The doctor said caring for the chickens probably contributed to his condition, which affected his lungs. Larry was injured in a farm accident around age 10 and as a result had five fractures in his hips and leg. He also had scoliosis and became quite stooped using both oxygen and a cane. He never complained.
Larry was a graduate of McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas and what is now the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado. He was the audio visual director in Moore, Oklahoma, where he also directed their outdoor education program for all 5th graders in the district. He retired in 1998 from the Ft. Lupton school district in Colorado, where he had introduced distance learning, among many other accomplishments. During his career in education he attended many programs, conventions, and workshops. He was a lifelong learner.
He met his future wife, Martha, over a job interview. Recently, they celebrated 59 years of marriage. After seven years of marriage and with great joy, they welcomed their first baby girl, Malea and then Amber, four years later. Larry loved sitting on the floor playing with his girls and on Saturday nights going over their Sunday school lesson and working on their Bible verses. He loved watching the girls pile pillows and blankets under the parsons table as they listened to the radio playing their favorite Christian programs.
In his early thirties he made a profession of faith to follow Jesus. He and Martha faithfully attended First Baptist Church Rogers for as long as his health permitted. He enjoyed being a part of life group and singing in their Saints Alive Choir. He was also blessed to be a part of missions trips to both Thailand and Mexico.
Larry loved taking his family on adventures such as hiking in the Rocky Mountains, attending various events in Estes Park, Colorado, such as the annual stock show and wool show- anything outdoors. He loved to call himself a "nature nut". Larry always stayed loyal to his Iowa farm roots and enjoyed gardening and growing all sorts of plants and vegetables.
Larry continued his love of adventure late into his life, traveling the country to volunteer at numerous national parks. He loved meeting new people and seeing new places, never being content to just stay in one place. Oh how he fought, but he got to go home to Jesus and he knew we would all be ok. He now has no pain and can do all sorts of things again. He is so happy and whole.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Norman, Gerald, and his sister, Jean. He is survived by his wife Martha, daughters Malea, and Amber (Blake), and grandchildren, Shelby, Asher, Caleb, Nathaniel, Judah, and Maddox.
Visitation will be Monday, September 8, 2025 from 10am until service time at 1030am at First Baptist Rogers, at the Olive Street Location.
Memorials may be sent to: The Food Pantry at First Baptist Rogers.