Garlie King, 63, had loyalty, passion for union

By Ashley Bach
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

Garlie King was known for his sharp memory.

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He was president of the union that represented hundreds of workers at the Weyerhaeuser lumber mill in Snoqualmie. For 30 years, he conducted business from a small storefront on Railroad Avenue, hearing countless stories about work and family and filling as many needs as he could.

When he started the job in 1974, the union had 600 members, but the company cut back staff and operations over several years. The mill, a shell of its former, bustling self, closed in spring 2003.

Mr. King died Friday (Oct. 1) at a Tukwila hospital after experiencing complications from an allergy. He was 63.

The burly, bearded North Bend resident never stopped helping people, whether they were fellow workers or family members, friends say.

He dressed up in a Santa Claus suit each Christmas to give away candy canes to nursing-home residents, children and friends. He fixed windows, brought meals or found someone who could.

"They could always count on him for anything to help out with whatever," said his wife, Marian Emma King. "Everybody just knew him."

Beginning in 1965, Mr. King worked full time in the shipping department at the mill, so his union work always was done on his own time. His memory over three decades was so sharp he could recall the most minute detail during labor negotiations, said Charles Peterson, former Snoqualmie mayor and a close friend.

After the mill closed and until his death, Mr. King kept hours at the union office, helping former colleagues with issues such as unemployment, welfare and general counseling. Sometimes just having someone to talk to over a Coke helped laid-off workers across the Snoqualmie Valley, Peterson said.

"It was a good thing," Peterson said.

Mr. King also was a trustee at the Sno Falls Credit Union for several years, handing out financial advice and loan information. He was a member of the Snoqualmie Fraternal Order of Eagles and the North Bend Moose Lodge.
 
He helped raise some of his nine grandchildren and found time to coach local Little League for several years while his four children were young.

Mr. King and his wife visited Reno or Jackpot, Nev., a couple of times a year. He bought a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic motorcycle four years ago after many years with a more subtle Honda model, his wife said.

"He always wanted the Harley because of the noise," she said.

Other survivors include three sons, Thomas, of Tampa, Fla., and Arnold and Jerry, of North Bend; daughter Kelly Lapora, of North Bend; sisters Florence Jevne, of Port Townsend, and Kandy Mathay, of Lynnwood; and brother Art King, of Startup, Snohomish County.

Services are at 11 a.m. Saturday at Snoqualmie Middle School, 9200 Railroad Ave. S.E., in Snoqualmie. A reception will follow at the Snoqualmie Eagles lodge, 8200 Railroad Ave. S.E.

Memorial donations can be made in Mr. King's name to the Puget Sound Blood Bank or other charities.

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567