August 21, 1944 – August 4, 2024

Danny (Dan) Ray King, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather went home to his Lord and Savior on August 4, 2024, at the age of 79.  He was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Dan was born on August 21, 1944, in Corsicana, Texas.  His family moved to Galveston when Dan was 4 years old.  Growing up on the island, Dan had a wonderful childhood full of pet raccoons, pigeons, snakes, and more —  and so many true young boy adventures.  He graduated from Ball High School in Galveston in 1962.  He briefly attended Lamar University before deciding he was ready for his next phase in life.  Dan enlisted with the Air Force at age 18.  On the island, he met Rita Rossi, who lived a few blocks away, and who later became his wife on June 4, 1966.  They celebrated 58 years of marriage this past June and spent 61 years of their life together as a couple.  Dan and Rita were parents to three daughters, Dana Anne King (Lewis), Michele Rae King (Burke), and Rebecca Leah King (Fruehan).  In the early years, they raised their children in Alvin before moving to Friendswood in 1985.

Dan loved being a businessman and leaves behind a legacy of successful businesses.  He started his career with American Indemnity and Hartford Insurance before joining an independent insurance agency.  After helping grow that agency, he opened his own agency that grew into a multi-million-dollar agency.  Dan was the founder and principal owner of King-Phillips Insurance Agency for 25 years.  At one time, he had nine locations in the Houston area.  During this time, Dan was one of the top brokers of buying and selling agencies in Texas with his company, Dan R. King & Associates.  Additionally, he was a well-respected insurance consultant, expert witness, and real estate broker.

In 1985, Dan approached Rita about joining him in the childcare business. Rita returned to school to study early childhood, and together they built and ran six premiere preschool and daycare centers named Kandiland.  Their daughters joined them in running 3 of the locations.  It was a true family affair with all their grandchildren attending the Kandiland locations.  After 35 successful and happy years, the family sold the childcare centers.

For Dan’s last big business venture, he partnered with Rita, and his eldest daughter Dana to purchase Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin, Texas. For the last 4 years, the three of them have enhanced and grown the long-loved zoo. We know Dan’s presence greeting guests and staff will be missed by all.

Dan loved to hunt and was an avid outdoorsman.  From hunting in his beloved South Texas to Colorado, Utah, and Africa, he enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow hunters, as well as the thrill of the sport. He has a vast collection of mounted trophy animals, including many Boone & Crockett records, as well as 2^nd place in the 1994 Muy Grande Contest. Because of his love of hunting, Dan wanted to own his own Texas ranch. In 1978, he and Rita purchased a ranch in Fredericksburg, Texas. For 28 years, they hosted family and friends to hunt, relax, celebrate, have huge Easter Egg hunts, gather around the fire, and just be happy. After that, Dan’s dream of having a South Texas ranch became a reality in 2004, when Dan and Rita built a showcase in Batesville, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. Once again, they hosted large groups of family and friends for so many special times. In 2010, they built another home on land in New Ulm, where more great memories were made around a huge fire pit and on a back porch made for gathering.  Lastly in 2022, they purchased a smaller property in Columbus, Texas. Dan loved enjoying God’s beauty with all the large live-oak trees and peacefulness. At each location, he loved having his cattle. They were loved like pets, and he so enjoyed going to feed them and call them.

Dan recently stated his greatest accomplishment in life was marrying Rita. They shared a beautiful family, lifetime of wonderful vacations, hunting together, going to the movies, and just being together.  He loved family time and loved being a grandfather.  He was called Big Daddy by his 7 grandchildren and one great-grandson.  He shared a birthday with his eldest grandson, Jake, and they both proudly called one another their best friend. He was a constant at his grandchildren’s sporting events, from baseball, football, golf, softball, water polo, basketball, volleyball, as well as to all other activities they participated in. And you could be assured that he would be cheering the loudest! His first great grandson, Waylon, was born a year and half ago, and he loved going to visit and play with him.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, Doy Virgil King and his mother, Ruby Allen King. He is survived by his wife, Rita; their three daughters, Dana Anne King (Lewis), Michele King Burke, and Rebecca King Fruehan. He is also survived by his loyal and loving sons-in-law, Jerry Burke and Josh Fruehan, as well as his grandchildren, Megan Lewis Brewer (Preston Brewer), Jake Joseph Burke, Benjamin Joseph Burke, Molly Anne Fruehan, Katie Anne Burke, Reed King Fruehan, and Adeline Elizabeth Fruehan.  He is survived by his great-grandson, Waylon Brewer.  Dan is also survived by his sister, Peggy Jo Anderson and her husband Edward, and his brother, Darrell Gene King and his wife Helen, and many, many more beloved family members.  Dan had a strong faith in his Maker that never waivered.

A rosary will be held at Jeter Funeral Home on August 8, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. A viewing will follow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..  A Catholic funeral mass will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood. Join us for a celebration of Dan’s life at Michele and Jerry Burke’s Home (3008 Bridle Path Lane, Friendswood) at 1 p.m.

Dan’s pallbearers include his grandsons and some of his nephews. These include Jake Joseph Burke, Benjamin Joseph Burke, Reed King Fruehan, Troy King, Chuck Dreyfus, Ryan Rossi, Sean Rossi, and Randall Chapman.  Honorary pallbearers include James Nelson, Jeremy Nelson, Jackson Nelson, and Justin Nelson.

Special thanks to Joyce and David Rhodes and the staff of Chester House at Sadie Farms, as they provided such wonderful and caring support during his last days with hospice.  And special thanks to Katie and Rusty with Essential Hospice for guiding and caring for us during this time.  We cannot thank them enough for their kindness and love.  We could not have done it without all the love and support from all of these people.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Chester House at Sadie Farms 4731 CR 172, Alvin, Texas 77511.