John King

John Patrick King was taken from his loved ones much too soon on December 28, 2017. John was born on July 2, 1977 in Plains, Montana and moved with his family to Hardin within his first year. John had a rich Montana childhood full of horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and 4-H. Those early days are undoubtedly where John acquired his green thumb and farm-boy work ethic. And his love of board games (including countless games of UNO with his uncle Jim McCall), animals, fireworks, and gardening followed him throughout his life. As a young adult, John moved to Billings to live with his beloved Great Aunt Dolores so he could attend Billings Central Catholic High School, with the rest of the family following the year after. John played football and wrestled for the Rams, and was an active member of the chess club. He graduated from Central in 1995 and then attended Carroll College in Helena as a History major. Throughout his years in school, John built strong relationships with teachers, professors, and coaches. He was a wealth of knowledge, had a passion for research, and was an avid reader. John's adult life was lived in Billings. For years, he worked in all facets of the restaurant business, always making life-long friends who adored his kind heart, loyalty, and sense of humor. But he found his true calling when he started his gardening business. All of John's passions and hard work culminated in the creation of King Family Farms. Alongside Clint and Kathy—John's parents, friends, and business partners—he crafted a multi-acre garden that produced a bounty sold at the Billings Gardener's and Farmer's Markets. His produce also made it onto the plates of local farm-to-table restaurants. Gardening was not John's only passion though. While his thumb may have been green, he bled blue and orange. His unwavering love of the Denver Broncos was pronounced. He was always dressed in head to toe Broncos apparel and never left home without donning a Broncos cap. John had a huge family. He doted on his nieces and nephews who loved him beyond compare. They adored meals with Uncle John and picking vegetables with him in the garden. John is preceded in death by his grandparents Henry and Margaret McCall, and Pat and Louise King, and his great-aunt, Dolores Guenther. He is survived by his proud parents, Clint and Kathy King; his two siblings, Mary (Jason) Ritchie and Becky King (Ty Soth); his five beloved nieces and nephews, Jackson, Samantha, and Henry Ritchie, and Emmett and Charlie Soth; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins all across the state and country. A Vigil will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, January 3rd at 6:00 pm. A Funeral mass will be held at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Thursday, January 4th at 11:00 a.m. at 3411 3rd Ave. S., Billings. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery with a luncheon to follow back at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Healthy by Design Gardener's Market c/o Riverstone Health. Condolences to the family may be left at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.