Fletcher - It is with great sadness that the family of Delmar Everett King announces his passing on the afternoon of March 13, 2018 at the age of 98 in the home of his eldest son surrounded by family. Delmar will forever be remembered as a hardworking farmer, loving husband, father, and grandfather. Delmar was born on October 6, 1919 in Fletcher. He was the son of the late Frederick and Charlotte (Cox) King. He attended school in Fletcher and only completed the eighth grade and partially through his freshman year because he was needed at home to help his parents on the farm and with their sugaring season.
When Delmar was young, he enjoyed summer time and ice fishing catching Horned Dace, Trout, and Perch from Half Moon Pond and Metcalf Pond. He shared many days of ice fishing with his sons on Lake Champlain. He also enjoyed deer hunting when he was able to go. In his lifetime he shot ten bucks ranging from spike horns to the largest deer of five points and 180 pounds on the farm where his son Alan’s house now stands. One of Delmar’s wishes upon his death was to have a small portion of his ashes placed at the spot where he shot his first deer on the farm. Delmar attempted to enlist in the military during WWII in Rutland, but was declined on the fact that the country needed farmers at home to keep agriculture thriving.
He married the former Madeline Boozan of Fletcher on April 24, 1948. Just prior to their marriage they purchased the farm in 1948, 70 years ago. Together they raised three sons and established a successful dairy farm of Holstein cows. He would often drive the blue Ford tractor in the fields when haying. The farm was active for 58 years until December of 2006 when Madeline became ill with cancer. The day that the cows walked out of the barn for the final time was a day of sadness and reminiscing for our family that evoked many emotions especially from Delmar and his son Leon who had been working alongside his father since he was young. For the past few years Leon would take Delmar for an afternoon drive almost daily in his truck so that Delmar could see how other farms and crops were fairing and what was new at farming businesses around Franklin and Lamoille counties often with a cold soda or ice cream cone.
Delmar was forever telling stories and at times you could find him leaning on the back of a pickup truck under the oak tree in the dooryard with his sons and grandchildren talking to whoever decided to stop by whether it was a neighbor or a farming salesman of some sort. Often he would be whistling or humming a tune or a “little ditty” from his earlier years. One of his favorites was the song Blue Skies performed by Willie Nelson.
Delmar is survived by his 3 sons Leon King and wife Cindy with their children Amanda King, fiancé Timothy Johnson of Underhill and youngest daughter Christine King, Loren King and wife Guyla with their son Justin, Alan King and wife Lisa with their children Jonathan and Nichole King, 2 brothers Doug King and wife Norma, Bernard King, and sister Audrey Towne, great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Delmar was also predeceased by his wife Madeline King in January of 2007, and his brothers, Foster, Wendall, Malcomb, Neil, Harlan and two sisters Beryl Tabor and Doris Wagner.
Delmar loved the King family and his brother in law Leonard Tabor’s family and on behalf of him we would like to thank you for all of the wonderful memories made throughout his lifetime.
It is the beginning of the next chapter for Delmar and Madeline as they are together now and forever more. A private family service will be held in the spring at the Binghamville Methodist Church where he will be laid to rest with Madeline. Memorial contributions in Delmar’s memory may be made to Franklin County Home Health and Hospice, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478 or to Delaney Sweet-Werneke Go Fund Me Account. The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting the A.W. Rich Funeral Home website, www.awrfh.com
