Harold C. “Gus” King, age 90, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013 at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo. He was born on March 26, 1922, the son of Bert and Ida (Walrath) King of Baraboo and was the youngest of their three children. On October 2, 1940, Gus was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, the former Dorothy “Sis” Aland, and together they raised five daughters. Gus and Sis, both born and raised in Baraboo, were married for over 72 years. Gus was a free-spirited traveler in his youth, frequently jumping freight trains from Baraboo to Devils Lake and hitchhiking to Montana at age 14. With the advent of World War II, Gus joined the Army and then the Navy after his best buddy, a medic, was killed in action. He was among the first qualified to serve in a special forces unit, Scouts and Raiders, a precursor to the Navy Seals based at the time in Ft. Pierce, Fla. He passed rigorous tests of physical stamina including training in underwater demolition. Gus was a man’s man who hoped for a son but was instead blessed with five, strong, independent daughters. He taught them many life lessons and further acted as an important role model for his departed brother’s son, many a son-in-law, grandsons, and those who looked up to him in his work life, trades, and hobbies. Following his honorable discharge in 1945, Gus worked at the Chicago and Northwestern car shops in Baraboo, then as a lineman for the phone company until a fall left him with a broken leg. He used his recovery period as an opportunity to change careers and became schooled as an electrician. A decades-long career as a journeyman electrician for O. T. Havey Electrical in the Madison area was followed by 8 years of electrical service at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant. In the 1980s in his “off hours” Gus was also the Electrical Inspector for the City of Baraboo. His most memorable work experience was the joy he took in lighting up Holy Name Seminary in Madison. He considered it a high honor to be the last electrician to leave that job site. When tackling any project, Gus always took pride in doing it to the best of his abilities, whether it was making his famous “golden beauty pancakes,” fishing, or building with wood. He singlehandedly built a new deck on his home at age 88, and many area golfers still play with clubs created by the “King of Clubs.” Gus was a lifelong Democrat and a strong union supporter who railed against the 2011 union busting policies. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) #159. Though not one to travel in his later years, he did enjoy local activities: bowling, fishing, hunting, golfing, reading, playing 500 with friends, attending Concerts on the Square, telling stories of his life which he remembered with precise detail, and eating at Cimaroli’s with family or friends. In his final years, Gus devoted himself to being his wife’s primary caregiver and took on her health care needs as his own. Harold is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and five daughters: Joan (Phil) Traxler, Marshfield, Pamela (Stuart) Vorpagel, Burlington, Constance (Roger) Joppa, Duluth, Minn.; Susan (Thomas) Holmes, Baraboo, and Debra (Barry) Marcus, Sacramento, Calif.; 15 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Patricia Stahler, Milwaukee; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Hiller; and a brother, Robert King; both of Baraboo. A special thanks to Dr. Flygt and to the caregivers both medical and spiritual who provided comfort and loving care to Harold and to the family. Gus will be missed greatly by family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated with Fr. Jay Poster and Fr. Mark Joppa, grandson and godson of the deceased, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 11, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 304 East St., in Baraboo. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Rago-Baldwin Funeral Home, 520 East St., in Baraboo. A rosary will be said at 6:45 p.m. Visitation will also be held before the time of Mass on Friday morning, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church. He made cardinals sing, he whistled while he worked, and he was one of the most honest men ever known. His word was gold.