Frederick W. King Sr.

March 14, 1929 - February 20, 2021

COLEBROOK – Frederick W. King, Sr., 91, of Colebrook died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at Angels Among Us care facility, following a long period of failing health. Fred was born on March 14, 1929, in St. Albans, Vt., to Rupert and Marguerite (Snow) King. He graduated from Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax, Vt., in 1946 and the University of Vermont in 1950 with a degree in Education and an ROTC Army Commission. He was married to Betty Jean Drake in St. Albans in 1951. He taught science and coached sports at Hyde Park. Fred was called to active duty as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Infantry in 1951 and served during the Korean Conflict in the 45th Division, where he earned a Bronze Star. After the war he returned to Vermont to begin a decades-long career in the automobile business. In 1957 he moved to Colebrook, NH, where he started a Ford dealership. His family would make Colebrook their “forever home.” After 20 years as an entrepreneur, during which he served the town and state on multiple boards, he accepted the position of Coös County Administrator, moving to West Stewartstown to oversee all county operations, including the nursing home, House of Corrections and farm. After a decade at the county he retired, only to begin his final career serving his beloved North Country as a State Representative, State Senator, and Country Treasurer for another two decades. In 2018, the N.H. Legislature honored Fred by the naming of the Frederick W. King, Sr. Rest Area on Route 3 in Colebrook. Fred was a proud lifetime member of the George L. O’Neil Post 62 of the American Legion in Colebrook. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty King of Colebrook; two sons, Frederick W. King, Jr. and wife Debra, David King and wife Vickie, both of Loudon; four grandchildren, Christopher (Kate) of Milton, Vt., Michael of Somerville, Mass., Benjamin (Emily) of Lynden, Wash. and Nicholas of Oakland, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Baylee Silva and Campbell Frederick; and a nephew Charles King and his wife Sharon of Sebastian, Fla. He was predeceased by a son, Robert and a brother, Rupert. A graveside service with military honors and celebration of life will be held in the spring in the Colebrook Village Cemetery, officiated by The Reverend Tim Brooks, and of which notice will be given. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Senator King may be made payable to the Robert King Memorial Award Fund, c/o Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, 103 Main St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Additional tributes to Senator King’s service to his state may be found at https://www.wmur.com/article/longtime-influential-north-country-leader-former-state-sen-fred-king-passes-away-at-91/35577418. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.