Peter Nathaniel King

Born on December 4, 1940, in Walla Walla, Washington, Peter Nathaniel King was the third child of Harold G. King and Virginia T. King. Delivered by Dr. Nathaniel Beaver, founder of the Walla Walla Clinic, Pete was named in honor of his Uncle Nat.

Raised in Walla Walla, Pete attended Sharpstein, Garrison, Pioneer, and Wa-Hi schools, where he was active in ROTC and Chess Club. After attending Washington State College as a freshman, he later earned a business degree from the University of Oregon.

Pete served in the US Navy at North Island Naval Base in San Diego and at Naval Station Kodiak, Alaska, during the 1964 Great Alaskan Earthquake.

Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and soon met Patricia Stouffer. They married in 1966, and enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage, building a life together in Albany, Eugene, and eventually Pendleton, Oregon, where they raised their two sons, a role they considered the great privilege and joy of their lives. Pete also shared a special bond with Pat’s mother, Jackie, whose friendship and support remained an important part of his life for many years.

Klicker’s Strawberry Patch was the site of his first employment. His summer job through high school and college was driving harvest trucks for Lamb Weston. In 1972 he partnered to franchise Grizzly Bear Pizza Parlor. He was perhaps best known for giving away pizzas or sodas to children who had A’s on their report cards. Some say Pete may have employed a generation and a half of Pendleton youth! Pete later worked for Texaco in the Portland area.

In Pendleton, the family attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where Pete served as a lector, kitchen crew for youth retreats and parish dinners. He was active in the Knights of Columbus and Marriage Encounter. He belonged to the Optimist Club, President 1972, (later named the Boys and Girls Club,) and the Cursillo Community of Eastern Oregon. He was an enthusiastic supporter of his sons’ athletics, music, scouting, and drama activities, driving thousands of miles over the years. Although not a scout in his youth, he served as Scoutmaster for Troop 777.

Having become empty nesters in 1989, Pete and Pat moved to Portland, Oregon, where they enjoyed active careers, parish life at All Saints, and many opportunities to travel. Pete was a gifted trip planner who delighted in exploring new places with family and friends. In 2001, they returned to Walla Walla to be close to aging family members who needed additional support.

Pete was known for his quick wit, warm laugh, and breadth of knowledge. He knew how to play and have fun. From his youth, he enjoyed puzzles of all kinds, games, and bridge. He was the “gadget guru” of the house and the computer expert. A devoted sports fan, he faithfully followed the Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, and Oregon Ducks, celebrating victories and enduring disappointments with equal enthusiasm. Pete took great joy in building and maintaining ponds, creating habitats that nurtured aquatic life, birds, and other wildlife. He became enamored of photography in the 1980s, documenting family gatherings, special occasions, landscapes, lighthouses, and eclipses. He was a member of the Blue Mountain Camera Club. He was an avid and lifelong snow skier, having grown up near Spout Springs where he was on ski patrol and taught skiing.

He lived his faith through a generous spirit and a willingness to help wherever needed. He quietly showed up for family, friends, neighbors, and strangers alike, offering patience and easy companionship. His family and friends will remember him best for how he made them feel: accepted, appreciated, and loved.

Pete is preceded in death by his parents, brother E. Neal King, and sister Eugenia K. Larson. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Patricia; sons Michael (Melissa) of Lexington, SC, and Christopher (Kellie) of Sun City, AZ, and brother Craig Lunn (Cheryl) of Kings Mills, Ohio, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

Our family is grateful to Josh Reyes, ARNP, Emily Castillo, ARNP, and the staff of Regency at the Park for their excellent and compassionate care.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 4:00 p.m. on July 11 at St. Andrew’s Mission, 48022 St. Andrews Road, Pendleton, OR. He will be interred at Vineland Cemetery in Clarkston, WA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Pete’s honor to your local food bank, the Walla Walla Library Building Fund, or a charity of your choice.

To leave condolences or share memories of Pete, please visit www.neptunesociety.com