Norman King

Norman King, 85, passed away on January 6, 2025, in Des Moines. He was born on March 30, 1939, to Floyd and Lois King, the third of ten children.

Norm grew up in the Four Mile area and lived most of his life in Des Moines, Iowa. He joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Prevail where he was schooled in diesel mechanics. When he returned from the Navy he met and married the love of his life, Judy Shepherd in October 1960. Together they shared four children, Sherri, Tommy, Shelley and Alan. Norm was a hard worker from an early age and after his time in the Navy, he graduated with a degree in mechanics. Norm was employed at Greater Iowa Leasing and then Ryder Truck Rental where he was promoted to service manager in the early 1970’s and then promoted to Regional Manager in Northern California in 1979. From there he served as Regional Midwest Division and retired in 1988. Norm and his brother Mike started a siding and window business where he kept busy until 1992. He then sought a job more suited to him at Storey Kenworthy PacLease and finally retired in 1999.

Norm loved fishing, NASCAR, and talking politics. He was known for his beautiful and successful garden. He planted more than 100 tomato and pepper plants each year. His tomatoes were plentiful and he sold much of his produce to Hy-Vee and had regulars who came to the house every week to stock up. He grew the most gorgeous and delicious tomatoes! He traveled to south Texas and enjoyed sun and retirement. He always had a neatly manicured lawn and in his older years let his family know if they hadn’t cut it quite right. But most of all he genuinely loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids! Norm was blessed with eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

When a stroke robbed Norm of normal life in October of 2023, his daughter Shelley began full time care to ensure he could remain in his home, as he wished. She took beautiful care of him and created memories that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible! The family is grateful!

Norman is survived by his daughters, Sherri (Steve) Rothmeyer of McCook, NE and Shelley (Mark) Peterson of Des Moines; sons, Tommy and Alan (Kim) King of Des Moines; sister, Dotti (Tom) Grochala of Indianola, the last surviving sibling; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Lois King; his brothers, Ronald, Gary, Randy, Mike, Alan, Tim and Bobby King; his sister, Kathryn Sample; and his grandsons, Andrew Burrell and Bennet King.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Family will greet guests one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Norman will be laid to rest at Avon Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.

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