Don King died at his home in Burton March 16, 2003, with his wife, Gretchen, at his side. He was 74 years old.

He was born Sept. 30, 1928, in Los Angeles.

As a child he moved to Berkeley where he attended high school and after a two-year stint in the Army as a paratrooper, attended the University of California where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

After his college days, he returned to the Los Angeles area where he spent his entire business career with the same organization, reaching the position of president. The company was in the printing, packaging, and display of consumer products industry.

Max Factor was such a major account that Mr. King maintained an office at their headquarters in Hollywood. He was responsible for personally creating some of the Max Factor displays that were seen world wide in department stores.

An avid sailor, he participated in numerous races in California, off-shore and to Mexico. His favorite was his 32-foot sleek racing sloop, the “Trinket,” which was a familiar sight off the coast of California.

In 1981, he and Gretchen visited a friend who had moved to Vashon. This part of the world was new to them, and they became enchanted with the island. They immediately made plans to move and did so later that year.

Just two weeks ago he stated that it was the best and smartest decision he could have ever made, a friend said. The friend said Mr. King dearly loved the island and the people, his friends and family. He gladly changed from the attire of his favorite shop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for the good things he found at Granny’s Attic.

He was active as a member of the Vashon Golf & Country Club and the Quartermaster Yacht Club where he berthed his ketch, the “Rocinante.”

Golfing, bridge, and cruising north to Canada every summer to him was an ideal life.

Survivors include his wife, Gretchen and his children, the twins, Kelly and Kevin King of Northridge, California; Darby of Suches, Georgia; Mark of Santa Rosa and Sara of Sebastopol, California; great memories, and a whole bunch of people who will sorely miss him.

A memorial service will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club.

At the request of the family, please do not send flowers but rather donate to an organization doing cancer research.