George Norland King
November 9, 1925 - January 13, 2022
Some knew him as Pops, some as Coach, some as Grandpa, and others as Norn, Norland, or Mr. Norland. But I knew him as Daddy.
My father, Norland King, passed peacefully in his home on January 13, 2022 at the age of 96 with his faithful caregiver/ friend Wanda Thomas and his dog Izzy by his side. He leaves behind his daughter, Shelee King George, his wife, Beverly King and her daughters Claudia, Sally, Heidi, and Robin as well as many friends and relatives.
Born in Whittier, California, Dad was raised in Yakima, WA until he moved to Seattle to attend Broadway High School. He joined the Navy after high school and was a World War II veteran. After the war, he moved back to Washington to attend Central Washington University.
Dad was a long time teacher and coach at Ballard High School in Seattle, Washington. He was passionate about youth football and baseball and led his teams to many district and state championships. Once retired, Dad went on to coach for Mukilteo School District at Mariner High School and later at Kamiak High School.
Dad loved the mountains. He snowmobiled, fished, built cabins and as a family we enjoyed many years at our vacation home he built at Mount St. Helens. He later built a replacement cabin at Ponderosa Estates in Plain, Washington after the mountain erupted.
In retirement, Dad enjoyed photography. He was the Vice President of the Puget Sound Camera Club and enjoyed holding seminars and leading many camera club outings. We have many archives of his wonderful work to enjoy. He and his wife Bev also enjoyed dancing and would go a couple of times each week to join friends to do ballroom dancing.
Dad enjoyed good food, but his favorite was hot dogs! He especially loved a chili dog, or simply a hot dog with chopped onions and relish on it. In his honor, enjoy a hot dog!
Dad was an excellent builder and built many cabins at Mt. St. Helens as well as the cabin he owned in Ponderosa Estates. He loved wood working and built a big woodshop on my property at Big Lake in Mount Vernon, WA. He loved to spend hours making wood toys, patio furniture and his famous Adirondack chairs. He has left us with the gift of his shop and tools. So it is only fitting that we host a memorial at Pop’s Shop, as we all call it.
In closing, let me share a favorite poem Dad wants shared. It is so fitting as it represents another way to say goodbye….
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more..
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting…
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good- bye.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
Final interment will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in a private ceremony. We invite friends and family to join us for a celebration of life April 16th at 2pm at Pop’s Shop; 17693 West Big Lake Blvd. Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Please contact Shelee King George for details at skinggeorge@gmail.com or call/ text (206) 953 2016.