Obituary of Clifford George King, Jr.

Clifford George King, Jr.  passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on March 15, 2018. He was born at Mission Hospital in Santa Cruz. His parents were Clifford G. King and Dora (Silicani) King. Cliff was raised in the Seabright and Twin Lakes neighborhoods, graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1949 and Hartnell College in 1951. From 1950 to 1958, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and saw active duty for six months off Korea aboard the carrier USS Essex. On October 24, 1954 he married the love of his life, Geraldine O’Reilley. They had three children, Terry King, Colleen Bowman (Jon) and Kevin King, and four grandchildren, Seth Bowman, Cassandra King, Alex King and Jenna King. Cliff was a third generation San Lorenzo River Steelheader, well known to many who currently or in past years followed that tradition. His son Kevin and grandson Seth (fish culturist at Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project) are carrying on the tradition. He helped build the hatchery on Big Creek and the rearing pond at Paradise Park. Cliff loved sports, coaching, and watching the kid’s games. He worked for PG&E in the gas department for 35 years. In 1992, the year he retired, Cliff and Gerry bought a summer house at Lake Almanor, CA. They spent six months of the year there until 2017 when Cliff was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.

Cliff is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Gerry, his children, grandchildren, brother Rickey King (Jessie), brother-in-law Terry O’Reilley (Sylvia), several nieces and nephews, his best friend of 83 years Malcolm Campbell, and Mal’s son Larry Campbell. A private family gathering will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank his doctors and staff of PAMF and the Infusion Clinic, especially Dr. Wu, and Hospice of Santa Cruz, especially his nurse Briana.

Donations can be made in memory of Cliff to Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project, www.mbstp.org , PO Box 417 Davenport, CA 95017 or Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Drive Scotts Valley, CA 95066.