Richard Julius “Dick” King, 77, of Hillsboro died June 3, 2020, in De Soto. Mr. King, a lifetime resident of Hillsboro, was the retired chief of the Hillsboro Fire Protection District. He was a graduate of the Oklahoma Fire Academy whose career in the fire service spanned 50 years. He also worked for Chrysler for more than 30 years, most of that time serving as fire chief of the Fenton plant. Hillsboro’s Fire Station House 2 is dedicated to him. He was born Dec. 1, 1942, in Lincoln County, the son of the late Loretta H. (Hausgen) and James Richard “Dick” King. He enjoyed trout fishing, camping and especially watching Nascar.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years: Brenda Lea (Berry) King of Hillsboro, whom he married Dec. 24, 1970, in Hillsboro; a daughter: Mary Ellen (Jason) Sparks of Hillsboro; three grandchildren: Hannah, Tessa and Jaxson Sparks; six siblings-in-law: Alpha (Edward) Graham of De Soto, Barbara (Jeff) Flowers of Oklahoma, Lawrence “Buddy” (Bonnie) Berry of Licking, John “Bobby” (Cheryl) Berry of Cadet, Elizabeth “Ann” James of Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law: Harold “Gene” (Teresa survives of De Soto) Berry.
Visitation is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 5, at the Hillsboro Civic Club, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro, with a firefighter walk-through at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, in the same location. Memorials may be made to The BackStoppers, PO Box 795168, St Louis, 63179-0700. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert D. Brown Funeral Home in Hillsboro.