Memorial

Francis E. King (Franny or Footspeed to some) was born on August 22th, 1928, in Cedar Rapids Iowa, the fifth child of Effie (Mc Arthur) and William 0. King. Francis was born at his parent's home with a midwife helping his mother. He was a lifelong citizen of Cedar Rapids and passed away on May 16th, 2021 at the age of 92.
 
Francis is survived by his wife Betty, their three children, Brad (Denise), Jay, and Denise (Dan) King Filip, their three grandchildren; Scott (Katie) King, Renae (Andrew) Brue, Leah (Nolan) Hershey and seven great grandchildren. Francis was preceded in death by six siblings, William, Frank, Wilhemina, Curtis, Helen, and Edward. 
 
School days for Francis began at Harrison Elementary School in Cedar Rapids which he attended through the 6th grade. He attended Roosevelt Junior & High School, graduating in 1947. Francis met the love of his life,  Betty, at a dance at Danceland in Cedar Rapids. She was from Victor, Iowa, but was living in Cedar Rapids at the time and working at Wilson Meat Packing Company. They were married on September 17, 1955 at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids and honeymooned at Lake of the Ozarks. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. 
 
Hard work was something Francis knew well starting as a young kid working for his father doing street construction during the summer, during school he worked at Russell's Ice Cream Factory. He would work weekend nights loading delivery trucks for Peter Pan Bakery part time for two years and full time for three years. At home, he enjoyed raising and racing carrier pigeons. He then went into the Army during the Korean War spending 18 months in Okinawa, Japan.  Upon return from the service he began working at Northwestern Bell, a career lasting 33 years, retiring in 1986. His daily activities included everything from climbing poles to installing and repairing business and residential phone lines. One of his accomplishments at Northwestern Bell was helping to install the first ATM in Cedar Rapids. Following retirement he started his own business, Telephone Connections, which he ran for almost 10 years.
 
Each summer Francis would take his family on a vacation to places like Estes Park, Colorado, Black Hills, St. Louis, multiple destinations on the East Coast and Nashville. Francis' hobbies included wood working, coin collecting, button making and metal detecting. He began selling White's Metal Detectors in 1975 as a part-time business called King's Treasures. He has always been interested in political candidates and has had the opportunity during the past to meet and listen to many prominent politicians.
 
Francis enjoyed recalling episodes from the past like the time he snitched a couple quarts of his Dad's wine and then sold it back to him later or the time his folks took them on a picnic up to where Methwick Manor is now located started a fire and cooked potatoes. 
 
Francis was an active member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids for over 59 years. He belonged to the Cedar Valley Research & Retrieve Metal Detecting Club, and was a member of the CWA Union and the Telephone Pioneers. Memorials for Francis can be given to St. Mark's United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
 
The thing Francis valued most in life was his family. He valued the many blessings he received during his life and his many friends. Strangers were friends he just had not met. Francis felt you should always tell the truth and then forget it. Francis was highly skilled and took great pride in his work.  A life well lived.  Eternal peace earned.
 
Visitation for Francis is Friday, May 21st, from 5-7 pm at Cedar Memorial and a half hour before the service at St Mark's United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 22nd. Service begins at 11:30 am. A livestream of the service can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarkscedarrapids/live/  A light lunch will be served immediately following the service. A graveside service with military honors with family at Cedar Memorial at 2pm.