Gordon (“Gordy”) Douglas King passed away in his home on Bainbridge Island on October 29, 2024. He died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family and tremendous love, respect, and admiration for a life well-lived. He was 80 years old.
Gordy was born on April 10, 1944, to Donald P. King and Dorothy May Hitchcock King. He was the second of four children. He is survived by his older brother, Kris King, and his two younger sisters, Carolyn King Leigh and Patricia King Christensen.
A graduate of the University of Washington in Construction Management, Gordy married his high school sweetheart, Diane (Skeel) King in 1965 and together they created a wonderful family. They had four children: Laura King, Matthew King, David King, and Jessica (King) Sullivan. Gordy and Diane parted ways and Gordy remarried in 2009 and spent the rest of his life with Margaret (“Meg”) Mitchell. Meg is the mother of Martha Cadden, Mit Cadden, and Sam Phillips.
An aesthete by nature, Gordy was a master at creating beautiful spaces. He enjoyed a successful career in the construction industry, where he oversaw the creation of commercial properties and residential homes in the Seattle and outlying areas. He was employed by Lease Crutcher Lewis for many years, went into business for himself for a decade or so, and eventually directed Holyoke Fine Homes, Lease Crutcher Lewis’ Fine Homes division, where he remained until he retired at the age of 65.
Gordy had an adventurous spirit and was most at home on or near the water. In approximately 1984, he purchased a gill-netter and a commercial fishing license and, as a side business-venture, he spent a number of summers fishing the salmon season in Bristol Bay, Alaska. In addition, for nearly half his life, he devoted countless hours to the careful and meticulous care of his 39’ sailboat, Merrow. Single-handedly, he varnished the brightwork every spring, polished the brass, mended and cared for sails, answered to mechanical failures, and attended to cleaning the hull in winter when she was “on the grid.” Gordy created countless joyful sailing memories aboard Merrow exploring the Pacific Northwest region with family and friends.
A natural athlete until the day he died, among Gordy’s many hobbies were sailing, tennis, biking, fly-fishing, snow-skiing, and water-skiing. To relax, he enjoyed playing the piano, reading, listening to music, and gardening.
Gordy was a loving and devoted husband and father throughout his lifetime. In his last days, he was surrounded by his wife and adult children, with frequent visits from his sisters. Gordy stated he was not afraid to die because he had lived such a full and satisfying life. He said he lived exactly the life he chose: “I have no regrets. I’ve done everything I wanted, I’ve had a great life.”
Gordy was loved by all who knew him for his integrity, quiet charm, and kindness. Professionally he was admired for all these characteristics and for his impeccable work-ethic, intelligence, and fine aesthetic. He is survived by his wife, his children, thirteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his three siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Dorothy King.
Memorials or donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
