Deb King

Long-time Atlantic resident and great athlete, Deb King, passed away Sunday, October 14, 2007, at the age of 92, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center, where he had been a resident for the past five years. King was well known in the state for his multiple sports achievements, dating back to 1928 when it all started at Jackson School in Atlantic with track and basketball. King was born in Villisca, Iowa on December 17, 1914 to Harry Roy and Della (Moore) King. He moved to Atlantic in 1928 at the age of 14 and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1933. He married Avis Idelle (Lang) on March 21, 1940. King owned and operated Deb Kote Pin Company (a bowling pin manufacturing company) in Atlantic, Audubon, Hamlin and Cumberland for many years, retiring in 1977. He also operated bowling alleys in Audubon and Exira. In his adult life, King participated in five sports and was very successful in: softball, baseball, bowling, golf and pool. Among his accomplishments, he played pro baseball for two years and ten years as a semi-pro. He maintained the highest state bowling average of 216 at one point. He bowled three 300 games and defeated pro bowler Andy Varipapa in Des Moines during a bowling TV broadcast. He had five consecutive senior golf championships, was Atlantic City golf champion and won 18 Western Iowa golf championships. He was the Iowa Golf Association Senior"s Tournament champion for the 70 years and older group and he won the State Iowa Elks Senior Golf Championship and the State Eagles Golf Championship. King had one hole in one. In 1976, he organized the SW Iowa Senior Golf Association, which is still going strong. In 1983, at age 69, King won the Midwest 5-state 8-Ball Tournament in Omaha. At age 65, he won the Western Iowa 9-Ball Tournament. In April of this year, King was inducted into the Midwest Pool Hall of Fame in Lincoln, Nebraska. King had been a member of the Elks, Eagles, Crestwood and Nishna Hills Golf Courses. Besides his interest in sports, King enjoyed spending time with his family.He is survived by his son Dennis King of Atlantic; his four daughters Debbie Leistad (Ed) and Susan Muri (Roger) of Atlantic, Margo Chester (Richard) of Massena and Jody McBride (Ron) of Temple, Texas; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one brother Loren King of Atlantic and several nieces and nephews also survive him.Preceding him in death were his wife Avis; his parents; his brothers Don and Lynn King; and grandson Chad Marshall.Funeral InformationIN LOVING MEMORY OFDEB KINGBorn December 17, 1914Villisca, IowaENTERED INTO RESTOctober 14, 2007At the age of 92 years, 9 months and 27 daysFUNERAL SERVICEThursday, October 18, 20072:00 PMRoland Funeral Home ~ Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGReverend David ClarkTrinity Christian Church ~ Bridgewater, IowaMUSICAL SELECTIONSHymn of PromiseAmazing GraceBy Randall BreckerbaumerORGANISTMaxine LyonBEARERS Steve King Andy Dennis Kelly Rasmussen Brad Chester Brandon McBride Jeff Dickey Tony Stender Mike Follmann Toby Keasey Adam PerkinsFLOWER COMMITTEEMarty & Mary MillsDave & Julie NelsonBill & Jeanie CarlsonCOMMITTALAtlantic CemeteryAtlantic, IowaLUNCHEONDeb's family welcomes friends to join them for a luncheon at the Senior Citizen Center, 411 Walnut Street in Atlantic, following committal services.