Obituary

Maxwell Clark King Jr. (Max), age 91 passed away peacefully at Mt. Baker Care Center in Bellingham, WA. Born to Maxwell Clark Sr. and Barbara (Loomis) King, Max spent his youth sailing, body surfing and playing basketball in Los Angeles and the Orange County area. Always a motivated achiever, he became an Eagle Scout and after graduating from LA High, he earned a degree in business from Stanford University and was proud to play Stanford basketball! He continued his education at Harvard Business School, earning a MBA concentrating in agribusiness.

Max was an entrepreneur, a plantsman as well an executive and educator. In Lancaster, CA he started his career as a chicken rancher and manager of a chicken-feed factory, and then continued to grow olives and oranges while working as GM for Lindsay Olive Company. After his family was raised in Lindsay, CA, Max moved to Bellingham in 1973 as a consultant for the Lummi Aquaculture Project. He then taught Business & Real Estate at Western Washington Univ., and headed up the Small Business Institute where he advised budding entrepreneurs.

Max’s greatest passion was sailing. He owned some sort of a boat for the majority of his life, loved racing in Bellingham Bay and cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands. A longtime member of the Bellingham Yacht Club and former Commodore, he still attended functions until he was 91.

Max lived a full life and had many special friends and relationships. The family especially wants to thank those who helped him through the rough times during his last years and all the health professionals and caregivers that extended his life.

Max is survived by Jim King, Laurel King and Louise King Fair (Bob). as well as many extended family members with whom he kept in touch. A private memorial will take place at a later date. Max would appreciate being remembered the next time you are on the water, or planting a fruit tree, or enjoying freshly caught crab or the perfectly ripened papaya.