Kermit King

Kermit King, of Paso Robles, died Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at the age of 105. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home. Born Oct. 4, 1900, to Allen Wesley King and Martha Ann Gobble in Kirklin, Ind., Kermit was one of nine brothers and sisters. Kermit left his family farm in Indiana and moved west in 1919, settling in North Dakota. Since Kermit was a high school graduate, he was hired to teach in a one room schoolhouse in Crosby, N.D., in 1920, beginning a teaching career that would last for more than 40 years. In the towns of Dickenson and Belfield, N.D., he met and courted Dolly McCarty, a local telephone operator. She never tired of his interruptions over the telephone, and they were married on May 23, 1925. In the midst of the Great Depression and midwestern Dust Bowl, Kermit's father-in-law Clifford McCarty visited relatives on California's Central Coast in the winter of 1937. He returned to his home in North Dakota that spring and declared the entire family was on the move! Kermit and the extended McCarty family moved to the Paso Robles area June 16, 1937. After working in a local cannery, Kermit was soon invited to teach mathematics and physical education in the Paso Robles School District in 1938. In order to advance his teaching career, Kermit spent considerable time in teacher training at what is now the University of California, Santa Barbara, obtaining his advanced degree in teaching. In 1954, he was appointed vice principal of Glen Speck School, and was promoted to principal in 1959. Kermit retired from teaching in 1963 after a rich 43-year career of service. In addition to his profession, Kermit involved himself in the community life of Paso Robles. He was a long-time member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist of Paso Robles, the Elk's Lodge #2364, the Masonic Lodge No. 286, and Dolly participated in the Bethlehem Chapter #95 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a past master of the Masonic Lodge, served as secretary of the Lodge for many years, and was honored with the Hiram Award for his service. Kermit and Dolly launched into their retirement with relish. They delighted in travel, touring Europe in 1963, later traveling to Hawaii and Mexico, wintering in Phoenix, Ariz. in the 1970s, and taking many excursions across the United States with their Airstream travel trailer as part of the Wally Byam Caravan Club, often accompanied by one of their many nieces or nephews. Kermit loved photography, dedicating a room of his home as a darkroom, and experimented with advanced photographic techniques with his long-time friend Doyle Bailey of Paso Robles. In 2000, Kermit, age 99, and Dolly, 97, celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Dolly preceded Kermit in death on Tuesday, May 23, 2000, the very day marking the anniversary. In 2001, Kermit was honored by the opening of the Kermit King Elementary School in northeast Paso Robles. For several years Kermit was a frequent guest at school functions and was delighted to receive many cards, notes, and artwork from the school's pupils. Kermit is survived by his sister Cuba Spaulding of Frankfort, Ind., and many loving nieces and nephews. 43-year career of service. In addition to his profession, Kermit involved himself in the community life of Paso Robles. He was a long-time member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist of Paso Robles, the Elk's Lodge #2364, the Masonic Lodge No. 286, and Dolly participated in the Bethlehem Chapter #95 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a past master of the Masonic Lodge, served as secretary of the Lodge for many years, and was honored with the Hiram Award for his service. Kermit and Dolly launched into their retirement with relish. They delighted in travel, touring Europe in 1963, later traveling to Hawaii and Mexico, wintering in Phoenix, Ariz. in the 1970s, and taking many excursions across the United States with their Airstream travel trailer as part of the Wally Byam Caravan Club, often accompanied by one of their many nieces or nephews. Kermit loved photography, dedicating a room of his home as a darkroom, and experimented with advanced photographic techniques with his long-time friend Doyle Bailey of Paso Robles. In 2000, Kermit, age 99, and Dolly, 97, celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Dolly preceded Kermit in death on Tuesday, May 23, 2000, the very day marking the anniversary. In 2001, Kermit was honored by the opening of the Kermit King Elementary School in northeast Paso Robles. For several years Kermit was a frequent guest at school functions and was delighted to receive many cards, notes, and artwork from the school's pupils. Kermit is survived by his sister Cuba Spaulding of Frankfort, Ind., and many loving nieces and nephews.