Clinton King Jr.

KING, Jr., Clinton S. Fair Oaks, - Surrounded with love, Clinton S. King, Jr., 84, died peacefully at his home Friday, November 2 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was prominent in Sacramento-area civil engineering, business, golf and art circles. Clint, a descendant of the early Northern California pioneer families, was born May 4, 1928 in Sacramento to Lt. Commander Clinton S. and Elsie VanMaren King. He attended schools in Sacramento and Western Military Academy in Alton, IL. He enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley and was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He competed in the javelin and pole vault, earning a letter in track. He graduated in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Following his graduation, he commissioned in the U.S. Army. He entered the Korean War with the 354th engineering group, 141st combat battalion, 1st Lt. He served 1952-1954. Registered as a professional engineer in California and Nevada, he was an expert in drainage and flood control and led the development of drainage studies and construction plans that continue to serve the region to this day. Early in his career, he worked with several firms covering territories throughout the West; Washington, Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area, and greater Sacramento Counties. He was in charge of planning many military installations in the region, including Mather, McClellan, Beale and Travis Air Force bases, the Presidio in San Francisco, and the naval facilities at Treasure Island. He was Vice President of McCreary Koretsky Engineers and later became a founding partner and Corporate Vice President of Spink Corporation. After resigning from Spink in 1979, he spent the next 22 years in private practice working frequently with the California State Attorney General's office. Active in the community, he served as President of the South Hills Racquet Club, the Bing Maloney Golf Club, Kiwanis and the Sacramento Swimming and Diving League. He was a member the Sacramento Pioneer Association, Del Paso Country Club, the Crocker Art Museum, University of California Alumni Association, and Arden Hills Swimming and Tennis Club. In 1954 he married Shirley Ann Peterson of Martinez, CA, also a graduate of UC Berkley. They settled in Land Park Hills and raised three children. She passed away in 1988. In 1976 he married Louise 'Lou' Fiddyment, a noted Sacramento-area artist who died in 1989. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Charla Lyons King, three children: Clinton S. King, III, of Manhattan, MT; Kristen King, of Sacramento, and Gwenn K. Tanvas (Donald) of Fremont, WI Wisconsin; brother, Van Maren King (Linh) of Woodland, CA; stepchildren Susan L. George (Bill) of Granite Bay, CA, Stephen C. Eales (Robbin) of Stockton, CA, Karen Hart (John) of Newport Beach, CA and Eric Fiddyment (Denise) of Roseville, CA. He adored his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Clinton S. & Elsie King-Gotthold; sister Ardis Hyde (Philip) of Taylorsville, CA; brother Robert 'Nick' King of Point Arena, CA, and his only granddaughter Renee Heather Sabala of Sacramento, who died at age 18 in 1994. A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 11, 2012, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Del Paso Country Club, 3333 Marconi Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Los Amigos c/o Sacramento Children's Home, 2750 Sutterville Rd., Sacramento, CA 95820; The Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; or Sutter VNA and Hospice, 1836 Sierra Gardens Dr., Ste. 130, Roseville, CA 95661.