Obituaries : * Keith Vern King; Retired Oxnard Physician

Keith Vern King, an Oxnard physician for 41 years and an avid reader, has died. He was 71.

King died early Wednesday at St. John’s Regional Medical Center after a sudden illness, said his son, Robert King of Ventura.

Born in Ponca City, Okla., King joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 and was stationed at several Navy bases across the nation, his son said.

While in the Navy, he obtained a bachelor’s degree at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., and later he enrolled at the University of Illinois medical school. He graduated in the late 1940s, his son said.

In 1952, he moved to Somis, and by 1953 he had an office on A Street in Oxnard. Later he relocated his office to West Doris Avenue, where he worked until retiring last year, his son said.

King was also a physician at St. John’s Regional Medical Center for 41 years.

Since retiring, he dedicated his time to his wife and to reading.

“Reading was his passion,” Robert King said. “Every time we saw him he had a book in his hand.”

In addition to his son Robert, King is survived by his wife, Ruth King of Somis; sons Donald King of San Diego and David King of Somis; daughter, Barbara King of Somis and two grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of James Reardon Mortuary in Oxnard.