Obituary - Judith Lee 'Judy' King

Judy King of Havre 78, passed away Aug. 1, 2024, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls following a long battle with cancer.

Judy was born in Livingston, MT, to Jim and Wanda Brown. She grew up on the family ranch with her three siblings.

After high school, Judy moved to Glendive and began working for the telephone company Mountain Bell as a switchboard operator. During her time working there, one particular incident stuck with her throughout her life. She received a call and thought the caller was intoxicated. Instead of disregarding the call, she felt in the back of her mind that she should send an ambulance to their address. Turns out a family had ingested poisonous mushrooms and everyone was extremely ill and could have died if she had not sent help. She always remembered this family and kept in contact with them through the years.

It was in Glendive where she met her future husband, Jerry King of Missouri. Judy and Jerry were married in 1966 until his death in 2014. During their marriage, they had two sons, Jim and Joe.

Judy and Jerry primarily raised their sons in Livingston but later moved to Cheyenne, WY, and then to Fremont, CA, where Jerry worked as an airline mechanic and Judy worked in clerical duties.

Judy loved Montana and eventually she and Jerry were able to move back and settle in Havre.

Judy was an avid MSU Bobcat fan who rarely missed a game on television. She would often wear her "crazy cat lady" T-shirt and other fan favorites.

Judy was strong-willed, tenacious and had an independent nature. She seldom shied from a debate. Judy had a great sense of humor and an uninhibited way of expressing her opinion. Judy will be missed and always remembered.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry King; nephew, Jay Betley; brother George "Bim" Brown.

She is survived by sons Jim King (Angie) of Billings, Joe King of Hamilton, daughter Gretchen Stenson (Tim) of Billings; seven grandchildren (Dillon, Katie, Bailey, Nathan,Tyler, Hanna and Sara); three great-grandchildren (Jeremiah, Lilly, Mackenzie); two sisters, Connie Westland (Vic) of Mesa, AZ; Jane Betley (Ken) of Mesa, AZ; brother Jim Brown of Livingston; niece Carrie Smith (Donny) of Mesa, AZ.

Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the humane society or a local charity of your choice. A future gathering will be planned to celebrate Judy's life.