* Reginald King; County Assessor in Late ‘70s

Reginald “Lee” King, a former county assessor and real estate appraiser, died Friday in Ventura after a lengthy illness. He was 73.

King was born Oct. 8, 1926, in Los Angeles to Ennis and Jessie King. He grew up in the Highland Park area of the city and later graduated from Wilson High School. His family said he was an outstanding student and athlete, who graduated with honors at 16.

He joined the Navy and served during World War II aboard the Halloran, a destroyer escort, in the South Pacific. He called the journey home at the end of the war “the best trip of my life.”

King returned to the Los Angeles area and enrolled at Occidental College where he graduated in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in geology.

During his junior year of college, he married Barbara Davies of Arcadia, who became his lifelong partner.

King worked for Southern California Edison and Willeys Motors and Union Oil Co., where he learned real estate appraisal.

He joined the Pasadena staff of appraising firm Hults and Whittlsey in 1969, and three years later he moved to Ventura where he managed an office for the same company.

After attaining membership in 1965 in the Appraisal Institute, the largest trade association representing appraisers, King formed his own company in Ventura.

King was appointed by the state of California to the position of Ventura County assessor in 1976 and he served in that capacity for three years. He returned to his private appraisal company in 1979 and worked there until his retirement in 1993.

He was an avid fisherman and was also instrumental in forming the Foothill Little League and Buena Swim Club.

In addition to his wife of 50 years, King is survived by sons William of Ventura, Scott of Ojai, and five grandchildren.

A graveside service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. Arrangements are under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura.