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Michael Curtis King, more affectionately known as “Blue” was born on January 6, 1957, in Milwaukee, WI to the late Gloria Jean King and Steve Hortman. He departed this life on March 28, 2022, at the age of 65.
Blue attended Washington High School and lived his entire life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a young man he was trained by his father, Steve, to paint and do odd jobs. He used the skills that his father taught him to support himself for many years. Additionally, Blue was a natural supervisor. If a job required extra manpower, Blue could always find someone because Blue knew EVERYBODY! After he found someone to do the job, he would come with them to make sure the job was done to your (and his) satisfaction...and to get his cut.
Blue met Cheryl Claypool and they had a daughter who they lovingly named Lakisha. Blue absolutely adored Lakisha! If you knew Blue, you knew about “Kish” even if you had never met her. He was so proud of her! When Lakisha gave birth to her son Kristopher in 1998, Blue so was excited to meet him that he rushed out to the hospital. He and Kristopher spent a lot of time together over the years.
There are many words that can be used to describe Blue, but perhaps the most appropriate word is giver. Blue was a giver. It seems he was always giving. He was generous to a fault, but it was his giving that defined him. One of the ways in which he did this was by giving people rides. Blue basically ran his own private taxi service. He would take you to work, pick you up from work, take you to the store or to the doctor’s office… wherever you needed to go. But you knew that if you rode in Blue’s taxi, he would most likely pick up someone else that he passed along the way! While you were riding you were probably laughing, because Blue was funny, and he never met a stranger. He loved to laugh, and he loved to make others laugh.
One of Blue’s most important roles was as caregiver to his big brother Clint. Not only did Blue serve as caregiver for his brother for more than 25 years, but he also opened his home to numerous family and friends who just needed a warm place to stay. People came to Blue because they knew that his door was always open.
Blue was resourceful, determined, dependable and always willing to share. He gave of himself from the beginning of his life until the very end. He will be very sorely missed, but our lives will be a lot more Blue because he was in them.
In addition to his parents, Blue was preceded in death by his sister Pansy King and a special cousin Greg Blackmon, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved daughter, Lakisha King and devoted grandson Kristopher Hills; He is additionally survived by: Brothers: Clifford (Karen) King, and Clinton King; Sisters: Melinda King, Stephanie King (all of Milwaukee), Selina King (Phoenix), Sharon Grant and Mary Lynn Hortman (Milwaukee); Uncle: D’Otis Towns (Milwaukee), and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends
Visitation will be held for Blue on Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 10:00am until the time of Serivces at 12:00 Noon, all at Jelacic Funeral Home, inc., 5639 West Hampton Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53218. Interment will follow.
The family requests that all in attendance please wear a mask.
Words from Lakisha:
I would like to thank everyone for all the love that you gave my father. He lived his life and passed on, maintaining a huge impact on people’s lives. I know that his support made a huge impact on so many people’s lives. I sometimes, however, become sad because I fear that he didn’t leave enough for himself. In his passing I do find some comfort in knowing he can rest now. There’s something about losing a person suddenly that (possibly) makes losing a person, in such a way, almost unbearable. No last chances or last words. How I wish I could tell him that I loved him one more time! The day after he passed I came home grief-stricken to find a light on in my room. One that requires a light panel be used that I’ve never used since we moved into our home over a year ago. I know it was my dad telling me he was okay and now he will watch over me in spirit. I find so much comfort in that!
I love you Michael King, aka Blue Dog, aka my Dad.
A SPECIAL thank you to my Uncle Clifford and Aunt Karen. They have been here every step of the way; mentally, emotionally and financially. They were at the funeral home, the cemetery, they helped with my dad’s suit, they helped me to make tough decisions and have helped in a wide range of other ways. I’m always the strong one, which a lot of times becomes too much and sometimes I would like to just float. My Uncle Clifford and Aunt Karen allowed me to float through this process. I don’t believe I’ve ever been able to just float, but their kindness, compassion, kind words, advice and support allowed me to do just that. I am eternally grateful and you two will forever hold a near and dear place in my heart.
Rest easy dad.
All Glory to God. Amen.
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