Loren Dennis King

Loren Dennis King, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on September 17, 2025 surrounded by his family. He will be remembered for his intelligence, humor, love of life, and his deep curiosity about how the world works.

Born November 4, 1942 in Cortez, Colorado, Loren grew up with an adventurous spirit. In his youth, he worked wrangling horses for his uncle in Mesa Verde National Park, an experience that instilled in him resilience and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors. He attended Adams State College for about a year before choosing to serve his country.

Loren entered the United States Air Force, where he served honorably as a mechanic on B-52 bombers-affectionately known as "BUFFs." His dedication and technical skill earned him the respect of his peers and shaped the discipline he carried throughout his life.

After his military service, Loren worked for Systron Donner (now part of Thermo Scientific), contributing to projects that sent instruments into space. Encouraged by the GI Bill, he returned to school and graduated from Chico State with a degree in Education.

Loren dedicated over three decades of his career to teaching math and science at Fairview Middle School in Gonzales, California. He inspired countless students with his patience, sharp mind, and ability to make complex concepts understandable. For 32 years, his classroom was a place of both challenge and encouragement, and many of his students carried his lessons far beyond school.

Outside of work, Loren's great passion was tennis. He coached his son, Christopher, into becoming a highly ranked junior player who earned a scholarship to play for the University of Oregon. He also loved cycling, surfing in his younger years, and spending as much time as possible outdoors. Loren's hobbies reflected his adventurous and disciplined spirit; he never stopped pushing himself to learn, move, and explore.

Above all, Loren cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy, his son, Christopher, and his three grandchildren, Andreas, Tristan, and Ian, who brought him endless pride and joy. His legacy of love, humor, curiosity, and integrity will continue to live on through them.

Loren will be deeply missed by his family, friends, former students, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.