Jerry King was a regular on the Excel for many years. Bill Roecker fished with him a couple of times, once on a very lucky trip with Bill Poole when a good catch of bigeyer tuna was made. This announcement was posted on the Internet by Alex Matsumoto of the Rusty Hook, from the Daily Breeze Obituary 5/1/09:

Born May 23, 1922 in Utah to Orvall and Edith King, both deceased. Also preceded in death by his wife Annetta of 56 years; son, Ronald King; and daughter, Carol. He leaves his brother, David and wife, Linda King; stepchildren, Geno and wife, Theresa Stipa and Phyllis Thomas; grandchildren, Janelle Getman, Mindi Fox, Tracy Estrada, Tammy King-Slott, Jeff Allen, Mike Allen, Ron King Jr., Donna Day, Billy Crowell, Rick Stipa, Julie Gravatte, and Steve Pagano; 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

As a young man he served four years in the Navy, honorably discharged in 1945. He was a commercial fisherman for many years, and a retired longshoreman. His greatest past time was long range fishing, mostly out of San Diego. His proudest moment was when he caught a 311# Yellowfin Tuna (on his 80th birthday). He was a member of the Dalmation-American Club and a lifetime member of the San Pedro Elks, 966 Lodge. Some of his large fish are on display at both locations.

Funeral services were scheduled at Green Hills Memorial Park in San Pedro on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elks Lodge #966 Perpetual Tax Fund, 1748 Cumbre Dr., San Pedro, CA 90732. We would like to give special thanks to Florenda Alarcom for the loving care she extended to Gerald and Anetta King during their illness.