Mark Neal King

Mark Neal King Obituary Mark Neal King, 55, of Grand Junction, Colorado, went home to be with our Lord on August 11, 2025. Born on August 21, 1969, in Bakersfield, California, to Russell & Ruby King, Mark spent his childhood in the small ranching community of Norwood, Colorado, situated at the West end of the San Juan Mountains. It was there he developed an appreciation for the outdoors and hunting. In his teenage years, his family returned to Bakersfield, where Mark graduated from Foothill High School, class of 1988. As a teenager, Mark was deeply involved in his local church and participated in a Christian outreach ministry called Youth Corp, through which he took his first missions trip to Jamaica. It was during those formative years that he met the love of his life, Christy Payne, at church. The two were married in 1992 and shared 33 wonderful years together. Mark was a devoted husband and family man, and together he and Christy raised their three sons—Nicholas, Kevin, and Kyle—his greatest source of pride and joy. Mark began his career with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office as a Sheriff’s Aide in 1990. Mark earned his Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Justice at Bakersfield College (he called them the best eight years of his life). In 2019 after 29 years of service Mark retired as a respected Sheriff’s Lieutenant being known for his integrity, steady leadership, and deep compassion for the people he served. Mark also served on the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center Board of Directors, a nonprofit ministry that was close to his heart. Mark obeyed the call on his life and accepted the position of Pastor with the Pentecostal Church of God at True Life Church in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he and his wife Christy served faithfully until his passing. His sermons were marked by warmth, wisdom and a love for God’s Word. He poured his heart into shepherding his congregation, offering counsel, encouragement, and friendship to all who crossed his path. Outside of work and ministry, Mark found joy in the great outdoors. He was an avid hunter and his favorite days were when he could enjoy the beauty of God’s creation (and maybe shoot anything that moved!) His adventurous spirit was matched only by his generous heart. Mark is survived by his wife Christy, his three sons, Nicholas, Kyle and Kevin (wife Dalarrie), his brothers, Lyle (wife Delores), Lawrence (wife Penny), and his father, Russell King, along with many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby King. Mark’s life was one of courage, service to others and faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His legacy will continue in the lives of all who were blessed to know him. Celebrations of life will be held in both California and Colorado: Bakersfield, California Friday August 22, 2025 9:00am Graveside Service with the Kern County Sheriff’s Honor Guard (all are welcome) Greenlawn Cemetery NE, 3700 River Blvd, (on the bluffs) 11:30 am Celebration of Life Bridge Bible Church, 1225 Stockdale Hwy. Lunch to follow. Grand Junction, Colorado Saturday, August 30, 2025 10am at True Life Church, 100 Vista Grande Road. Lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center. https://secure.anedot.com/bakersfield-pregnancy-center/in-memory-of-mark-king

Mark Neal King

August 21, 1969 - August 11, 2025

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Mark Neal King

August 21, 1969 - August 11, 2025

365 Days of Grief Support

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