Michael Eugene King

Michael Eugene King, age 68, of Springdale, Ark., passed from this life Tuesday, October 11, 2022. He was born July 31, 1954, in Phoenix, Ariz., the only son of the late Eugene King and Mary Lou King. Mike loved Arizona and spent the majority of his life there enjoying the desert. Growing up, he and his siblings explored the desert in the off-road vehicles he and his dad found and fixed. As an adult he introduced his kids, nieces and nephew to the joy of off-roading, as well as boating and a love of the outdoors. He moved to Arkansas in 2009. He was able to spend these past years enjoying holidays and special time with his children and grandchildren. He first faced a battle with cancer in 2013 that he fought hard to beat. Mike was in remission for many years. His cancer returned aggressively in 2022. He died peacefully with family by his side and surrounded by love. He was a retired mechanic and had a passion for welding, and working on cars. Mike also was an artist - he used his welding skill to create beautiful sculptures of cactus out of metal. Mike had a passion for life and all those around him saw that spark. If you knew Mike, you loved him! Survivors are a son, Michael King and his wife Ann; his daughters, Melanie Gabel and her husband Jimmy, Mary Russell and her husband Brian, Alyssa King and her partner Dan; his sisters, Peggy Buchanan and the late Bill Buchanan, Elaine Falkner and her husband Paul, Michelle Humphrey and her husband Kim; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed. Cremation arrangements are by Nelson Berna Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred to Willard Walker Hospice, 325 East Longview Street, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com