Charles ‘Chuck’ Robert King

Chuck passed away June 4, 2024, surrounded by his wife and loving friends. He was 80 years
old. Chuck was a native of Arizona having been born to parents Charles and Ethel King on
February 23, 1944, in Phoenix, AZ. He attended Simis Elementary School and Central High
School in Phoenix. He joined the Navy with one of his best friends and together they served in
the Philippines. After his discharge, he attended Northern Arizona University and Arizona State
University. While at ASU he met his future wife, Carol Richardson, on a blind date. Six months
later, they married on June 9, 1968.
In June 1968, Chuck began his career with Kentucky Fried Chicken Corp. and later was
promoted to a District Manager of the western United States. In 1978, he purchased the
franchise for the Kingman KFC which he operated from 1978 to 1999. He served as President of
the AZ KFC Marketing Co-op. He was President of C.R.King Inc. operating the KFC franchise,
Kingman Travel Agency, and The Mail Room. Chuck believed his business success was
achieved because of the support he received from the community. He felt in turn, he should
serve the community to the best of his abilities. Chuck committed himself by serving on the
Kingman Airport Authority, was elected President and Director of the Kingman Chamber of
Commerce, served as Past Exalted Ruler of Kingman Elks #468, was a co-founder and Director
of Mission Bank, and lastly served Mission Bank as Director Emeritus.
Fun, honest, commitment, loyalty, strong values, dedication, fairness all described Chuck. He
loved to have a good time, laughed often, and had a quick wit even in his last days.
Chuck loved adventures and the outdoors. He had a pilot’s license. He recently shared with a
friend that he had only two regrets. The first was that he had never purchased a plane and the
second regret was that he never owned a Harley. He loved traveling in the RV, golfing,
hunting, and fishing. He and Carol loved to go to Kona, HI where two of his best friends
since grade school reside.
Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Charles L. King, mother, Ethel Waldie, and brother,
Ronald James King, and his father-in-law, Roy Richardson. He is survived by his wife, Carol
Richardson King, of almost 56 years (June 9th)., his mother-in-law, Dorothy Richardson
of Peoria, AZ, and sister-in-law, Jane Richardson of Surprise, AZ, one nephew, Brannon King,
and sons, Brody and Brady of Chino Valley, AZ, and many cousins.
There will be a Service and Celebration of Life for Chuck on July 7, 2024, at the Kingman Elks
468 Lodge, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joan and Diana
Hospice House of Kingman or Kingman Elks #468.
Arrangements were handled by Sutton Memorial Funeral Home.