Gail A. King

Gail A. King, beloved wife, mother and daughter, 85, of  Houghton Lake passed away unexpectedly at her home on Thursday May 19, 2022. Gail was born on December 21, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Earl and Lucille (Bricault) Starr. Gail married her loving husband Julian “Skip” King 67 years ago on January 15, 1955 in Detroit, MI.

In 1973, Skip and Gail moved to the Houghton Lake area to purchase the Way North Motel. In 1978 they opened their first Little Caesar Pizza store. They eventually operated fourteen Little Caesar Pizza stores in two states. After incorporating, Gail served as secretary, treasurer, and vice-president of K.N.M.F.S. Inc. Gail was also member of the American Business Women’s Association. She once served as Roscommon County Chairman of the Connie Binsfeld campaign for Michigan Lieutenant Governor. To promote Houghton Lake tourism, Gail successfully lobbied the Congress for an exception to the law banning billboards on the extension of I-75 stretching North of Saginaw. Notably, Gail and Skip were the impetus behind creating a 2nd weekend of Tip Up Town every winter. She was always very active; enjoying cross country skiing, tennis, and golf. Avid travelers, Gail and Skip’s journeys ranged from Denali to the Horn of South America. For several years, Gail participated in the National Portrait Society conventions as well as a variety of art workshops, which enhanced her natural talent and enthusiasm for oil painting.

Surviving Gail are her loving husband of 67 years, Julian W. King; children, Gary (Monica) King, Terri (Robert) Doepker, Cheryl Ghesquire, Cynthia King, Robert (Susan) King, and Geoffrey (Ann) King; and her brother, Richard Starr. Gail is further survived by 14 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and many other loving family members and friends. Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Lucille Starr, and her sister, Shirley.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Gail A. King will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at St. Hubert Catholic Church at 11:00 am, with Fr. Bernard Tyler officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday May 31, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Christler Funeral Home - Prudenville Chapel. Interment will be in Lake Township Cemetery, Houghton Lake. 

Memorial contributions in memory of Gail are asked to be directed to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.