Dennis King

Dennis D. King was born to Kenneth and Virginia (Walgren) King in Hay Springs, Nebraska, on August 25, 1943, and passed away on September 30, 2025, in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Dennis was raised on a farm south of Hay Springs and attended Sandridge Country School, where he and his older sister rode a horse to class each day. According to Dennis, his sister always got to ride in front while he had to sit in back—even though it was his horse. He later graduated from Hay Springs High School in 1961.

After high school, Dennis joined the National Guard and completed his training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Following his service, he pursued a career in teaching and attended Chadron State College.

Dennis had a lifelong passion for sports and continued to enjoy them well into his later years. In school, he played baseball and basketball and was the football team’s quarterback. When he attended Chadron State College, it surprised many that he joined the wrestling program, having never wrestled before—and he even went on to compete for a national title.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Chadron State College with a focus on math, science, and Spanish. He taught school for four years, during which he coached wrestling, golf, and basketball—ironically, his first teaching job was in Gordon, the very town where he would one day return to practice law and raise his family.

In 1968, Dennis married Kathryn (Osborn) King in Hay Springs, Nebraska. The couple lived in Ashland while he attended the University of Nebraska Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1973. After graduating, Dennis and Kathie moved to Gordon, Nebraska, where he began his law practice with Michael V. Smith. Over the years, he worked with several partners, with Jamie Simmons being his final partner before retirement.

Dennis was deeply involved in his community. He served as president of the Gordon High School Board of Education for 12 years, was a lifelong member of the Kiwanis Club, served on the Chamber of Commerce board, and was a member—and later president—of the Chadron State College Board of Directors before serving as a trustee of the Chadron State College Foundation. He also coached the Gordon High School mock trial team for several years, sharing his legal knowledge and mentoring students.

Golf was one of Dennis’ greatest passions. He ran the men’s golf league for many years, keeping it lively with fun games and lighthearted shenanigans that everyone looked forward to. Golf was a huge part of his life, and he passed that love of the game on to his children and grandchildren.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dennis received several professional accolades. Most notably, he was named to the 2000 Class of Fellows of the Nebraska State Bar Association—one of the organization’s highest honors, recognizing excellence in integrity, leadership, and service to the profession. He was also a proud 50-year member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, a milestone that reflected his dedication to the legal profession and the people he served.

Dennis had a remarkable sense of humor and was well known for his witty Christmas letters, which will be missed by many who looked forward to them each year. He was also known for his generous spirit and his drive to work hard for his clients and community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Virginia King; his brother, Keith King; his sister, Elsie Caparoon; and his nieces, Jennifer Kolb and Laraine Kolb.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his son, Jeffrey (Jennifer) King; his daughter, Trina (Mike) Kuper; and his grandchildren, Abigail King, Madeline King, Alexander King, Logan Kuper, and Ryan Kuper. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends who will dearly miss him.

Memorials may be made to C.A.R.E., Inc., Gordon, Nebraska, to assist cancer patients and their families, or to Gordon Memorial Hospital.