Robert Lee King, 78

Robert Lee King was born on September 3, 1945, in Miller, SD, to parents Cecil and Darlene (Farnsworth) King. He spent his younger years in Miller, Lower Brule, and finally Kennebec, where his parents built Kings Motel in 1959. He attended Kennebec High School, where he distinguished himself in basketball. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City. On January 19, 1966, he married his high school classmate, Vickie Smith.

Following his military service, Bob and Vickie relocated to Aberdeen, where Bob pursued higher education at Northern State University, earning a degree in Physical Education. In 1972 they moved to Pierre.

In October of 1976, they returned to Kennebec, purchasing the motel from Bob's parents and expanding their business by opening a gas station next door, while Vickie operated the Village Hair Smith salon. Bob also built the Super 8 Motels in Winner, Chamberlain, and Kadoka.

In addition to their business ventures, Bob embarked on a fulfilling career in education and athletics. During his tenure, Bob coached both Lyman’s boys and girls teams to SD state basketball tournaments including the first ever trip for Lyman’s girls in 1983 which included his daughters Katrina and Cinnamon. Bob proudly called Lyman the basketball capital of South Dakota.

While teaching Physical Education at Lyman Middle School, he coached Middle School girls and boys basketball, as well as track and field.

In 2005, Bob and Vickie began a new chapter in their lives, spending winters traveling in their RV and residing in Arizona. They sold Kings Motel in 2011, just before Vickie's passing, after which Bob relocated to Arizona full-time. There, he found companionship with Margaret Profazzi, and they shared a decade together until her passing in 2022.

While in Arizona, Bob embraced various interests, including playing pickleball, exploring the open road in his RV, and embarking on journeys across the country and the world.

Bob had a passion for outdoor activities, including snowmobiling in the Black Hills and Yellowstone, as well as goose and pheasant hunting. He also cherished his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Bob and Vickie's shared love for travel extended beyond their RV adventures, as they explored the USA on their motorcycle and embarked on memorable trips such as a Panama Canal cruise and driving to Alaska.

Bob is survived by his four children: Katrina King and husband Rob Hullinger of Scottsdale, Arizona, along with their children Lexie Bowman, Brittan Hullinger, and Baron Hullinger; Cinnamon King and husband Steve Hansen of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, with their children Aspen and Hunter Hansen; Cody King and wife Julie (Rabern) of Rapid City, South Dakota, and their children Elle and Faith King; and Sky King and wife Regina Perrotta of Phoenix, Arizona, along with their child Asia King. He is also survived by his four siblings: Bonnie Schindler and husband Donnie of Oacoma, South Dakota; Larry King and wife Gwen of Cocoa, Florida; Lavonne Livingston of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; and Kathy Callagy and husband Bob of Sun City West, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Darlene King, and his beloved wife, Vickie King (Smith).