Rudolph Harlow King

Rudolph Rudy Harlow King May 25, 1917 ~ February 2, 2009 Born May 25, 1917 in Valley City, North Dakota passed peacefully in his sleep on February 2, 2009 in Salem, Oregon. Beloved father to Carol of Redmond, WA. and Douglas of Salem, Or., brother to Palmer of Eugene and Leonard and Kenny who are waiting for him, loving grandsons, Jeff and Ryan and great granddaughter and great grandson Caitlin and Cameron. Rudy was the second of 4 sons born to Ed and Leila King in Valley City, North Dakota. The family moved to Oregon in 1924 and lived on a farm bordering the Mckenzie River. He and his brothers attended school in near by Coburg. Rudy and his brothers comprised the core of the dominate Coburge Townies sports teams. Rudy went on to the University of Oregon, gaining a Bachelors degree in education in 1942. Following graduation he became a teacher and coach at Odell High School. He met his wife Dorothy Baker, married and soon after his daughter Carol Lea was born he was drafted into the Army and served in New Guinea. Soon after his discharge from military service he moved his family to Springfield and began a 30+ year teaching career at Springfield High School. While at Springfield High Rudy coached baseball, basketball and football. He had a very positive influence on his students and the athletes he encouraged through the years. Early in his career his son Douglas was born and as a family, each summer was filled with camping, campfires, friends and fishing. His passion was duck hunting and many days during his life he spent crouched in the fence rows calling in Mallard Green Heads. The worse the weather the "better the hunting" he would say. He was an expert with the duck call. Every New Year's Eve at midnight he would "blow" Auld Lang Syne. That is just one of the many wonderful thing we will always remember about him. Later in life he took up the game of golf. He loved the sport as much as he did hunting. He was a good golfer with a straight drive and easy touch with the putter. One day while playing at the Eagles he could not find his tee shot. He knew he had a made good contact but where could the ball be? It turned out Rudy had hit a hole in one! Rudy was loved by many -- his sense of humor and kind spirit will be missed by all. Dad, happy hunting, fishing, golfing and sports watching with your many awaiting buddies! All Our Love, As Always