James Robert King

A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again."— Maya Angelou

James Robert "Jimmy" King, 50, of St. George, Utah, where he has lived for nearly 20 years, passed away from unexpected health complications on August 7, 2026, doing what he always did best — living fully, loving deeply, and leaving everyone around him a little lighter for having known him. 

Jimmy was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Robert and Margie King, and grew up between Pocatello and Chubbuck, Idaho, and Kearns and Taylorsville, Utah, making friends wherever he landed. He graduated from Highland High School in 1994 and then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Richmond, Virginia. 

After his mission, Jimmy worked for SkyWest Airlines in Pocatello, West Yellowstone, MT, Monterey, CA, and then in the corporate office in St. George, UT. At the small airports, Jimmy and his colleagues wore all the hats, from checking in customers to scanning bags to directing in the plane. In between work duties, Jimmy and his colleagues were known for their prank shenanigans, a favorite source of family laughter whenever Jimmy came home with a new story to tell. While working at the small airports, Jimmy tirelessly worked night and day, earning a degree in business from Idaho State University. 

Jimmy later made a career change from the airline industry into home respiratory care, working first for Lincare and then Intermountain Healthcare. He had a special gift for working with elderly patients — endlessly encouraging, patient, and kind — as he helped them purchase, manage, and set up their home oxygen equipment. Jimmy also had great care and love for his co-workers, and truly appreciated the joy they brought to his workdays. 

Jimmy married Heather Mann in 2004, and though their marriage later ended in divorce, their shared devotion to their son, Axel, never wavered. Together, Jimmy and Heather modeled committed, supportive co-parenting.

But of all his accomplishments, Jimmy was proudest of one thing: being Axel's dad. He approached fatherhood with humility and deep devotion, showing up again and again with love, patience, and encouragement. He and Axel were true partners in adventure — mountain biking the trails around St. George, go-cart racing in the mud, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and exploring new places. Jimmy also loved cheering Axel on through his high school mountain bike club. Anyone who knew Jimmy knew how deeply he loved his son.

Jimmy was, in every sense, a big kid at heart. He was the one adult in the family who'd brave freezing river water on a rainy day just to float alongside the grandkids. As a young teenager, his curiosity got himself stuck in a child's playground swing. He super-glued his own leg hairs together for a laugh. He tried, memorably, to ride his bike upside-down while hanging from the garage rafters. During a family float trip in Lava, when the tube he and two others were riding flipped, Jimmy was the one who planted his feet, found his footing, and helped everyone else safely to shore. That was Jimmy, goofy and steady, all in the same day.

Jimmy was a seeker of knowledge and self-development. Generally, he read multiple books at once, picking up whichever one called to him that day. He enjoyed talking sports with his dad and brother, collecting Utah Jazz hats, and he was the first in the extended family to put up the Christmas tree, decorating before Thanksgiving. This was a tradition he and Axel started out of Axel's love for the holiday season.

Jimmy's faith mattered deeply to him. He was a member of the 5th Ward, St. George East Stake, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and carried a strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ throughout his life. He was hardworking and independent, never wanting to be a burden to anyone, and he lived by a simple, hard-won philosophy: when life knocks you down, get up, dust yourself off and keep pressing forward.

He was known — and will always be remembered — for his laugh: joyful, high-pitched, and unmistakably his. He was accepting, non-judgmental, and endlessly supportive of the people he loved, and he made sure they knew it, whether through a random text, a card in the mail, or just the way he showed up. He was also quick to say "I'm sorry" when he didn't get something right.

Jim is survived by his parents, Robert and Margie King; his son, Axel; his brother, Jeffery (Amanda) King; and his sisters, Lorie (Mark) Simoneau, Janice (David) Butler, and Julianne (Steve) Rowe, along with countless extended family, friends, and colleagues whose lives he brightened.

Jimmy was a kind soul who will be deeply, deeply missed. May we all carry a little of his laughter, his mischief, and his unwavering love forward with us.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints St. George 5th Ward, 449 S. 300 E. St. George, UT 84770 (across from the St. George UT Temple). Prior to the services there will be a viewing held from 9:30 - 10:45am. Interment will be at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S. Dixie Dr., St. George, UT 84770

Funeral services may be viewed by clicking the livestream below.