Kay (KK) Francis King, 77, Lincoln, NE, passed away from heart-related issues, on January 21, 2015. He was born on January 26, 1937 to Gussie Patton in Lovell, WY. During his high school years, Kay was active in several sports and was the student body president his senior year. He went on to play football on scholarship at Snow College for one year. Kay married Carol Croft in 1959. They had two children and were later divorced.
Kay received his Bachelor of Science in 1962 and Master of Science in 1963 in child development from Brigham Young University, and his Ph.D. in family relations and child development in 1967 from Florida State University. He taught in the Department of Family and Child Studies at Texas Tech University from 1963 to 1969. Dr. King then served as associate professor and director of the Division of Child Development, Center for Developmental and Learning Disorders at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from 1969 to 1976. While there he was involved in research that focused on special needs and handicapped children and improving pre-school education. Kay and Cecile Buck were married in 1975.
In 1977 he joined the Department of Human Development and the Family at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, serving as an associate professor until he retired in 1997. Among his favorite courses to teach at UNL were Assessment of the Young Child; Practicum in Human Development and the Family; and Advanced Early Childhood Education. His creative interests included the utilization of computer-assisted assessment and teaching strategies in early childhood. His research focus was on developing a better understanding of the correlates of temperament in parent/caregiver/child interaction. Kay and his wife, Ceil, were a wonderful team, working to serve families and children with special needs. Kay is remembered for his kind and gentle approach to teaching and human relationships.
Kay and Ceil were co-owners for 30 years of the Log Cabin Café located in Silver Gate, Montana. They looked forward to spending their summers in the mountains. In the early years of the Café, Kay and Ceil were actively involved with the Beartooth Rendezvous that was held annually in Silver Gate. Kay was famous for his BBQ smoker that sat outside the café. Word spread quickly when the smoker got fired up and people came from far and wide to enjoy his delicious chicken, ribs and brisket. He shared his love of BBQ with others by becoming a certified BBQ judge. Kay was active in the Yellowstone area community. He was an advocate for environmental, civic and community improvements.
During his retirement years Kay enjoyed golfing, travelling and parking his 5th wheel trailer in the mountains.
Kay is survived by his son, Dr. Bryan C. (Catherine) King, Logan, UT; daughter, Michele Leafdale, Billings, MT; stepson, H. Wade (Genie) Crawford; and stepson, William H. Crawford, both from Birmingham, AL; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Kay is preceded in death by his wife Cecile B. King.
A Memorial Services will be held on February 4, 2015 at Roper & Sons Chapel, 4300, “O” Street. Lincoln, NE. Visiting with family from 10:30-11:00 with service starting at 11:00.
A Celebration of Life Memorial is being planned for early July in Silver Gate, MT. More details will be posted at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Cooke City Area Council, P. O. Box 1134, Cooke City, MT 59020.