Del King, cousin of the Clayton Kings, as written by Don Popejoy
This segment of the King story is compliments of Writer/Author Mr. Don Popejoy who furnished the vast majority of photos, the balance of which are from Edward Kingrey for verification purposes. Thank you, Don & Edward for the priceless memories.
Magnificent fighter that he was, Del King still takes one in the kisser. Don Popejoy writes, “My Mother, Elaine Haynes, was engaged to Del King.” Thus this photo is possibly the Author’s favorite memory, simply because it is the very first photo he has shared with us.
DEL KING is my name, boxing is my game!
Del and his team mates trained outdoors at Glover Field in Peaceful Valley. Note the Monroe Street Bridge behind Del as he shadow boxed. In the late twenties the vicinity was sparsely populated.
Del & Sister Lorraine King. She was a singing star in the days of Vaudeville
Mickey Trad, lower left was received by the King family upon his marriage to Arvilla King, sister of Lorraine and Del King. This information is verified by Edward Kingrey and “the King scrap book.” What a great name for a book about the life and times of a whole slug of scrappers.
Left to Right- Model T Ford, Don Popejoy’s Uncle Elmer King, Aunt Cleo, Aunt Hazel, man w/ hat unknown, Aunt Cecil, Del King, unknown man, Aunt Gladys, Elaine (Don Popejoy’s Mom, Uncle Roy, unknown man with Dog. The lady in front is Aunt Edna. All the Aunts are Don Popejoy’s Mother’s Sisters. That’s it folks.
Well there you go, proof that a good clinch builds beautiful biceps.
Del and his Sister Lorraine. They could be twins!
And then like a bolt from the blue, disaster struck the King family and the local boxing world with the untimely death of Eddie King. He was the son of Walter King Sr. of Clayton, WA. Eddie died 5 months following Del’s death. The two cousins are buried with a mere 12 feet apart.
With a record of 19 wins and 1 loss, Eddie King bowed out. A record to be proud of.
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With all the vibrancy of a Champion and to the total dismay of his loved ones, God called Del home. He was only 19 years of age.
The Kings were a boxing family but also very close. Del gave this to his Fiance Elaine Haynes, Mother of Don Popejoy. Oh, how she must have treasured these few words as years slowly drifted by.
By now you know Del loved boxing. If you look this picture over you must know someone loved Del. This is a well worn photograph carried for decades by an admirer.
Left to right, Walt King Jr., unknown, Eddie King, and Del King.
Well there they go again, even after the Ref told em, “No Clinching.”
Walt Jr. on the left with 3 unidentified chums.
Front and Center, Eddie King,
This is Glen King in a class photo in the very early 1930s in Clayton, WA.
Del enjoys the adoration he so deserved. Without loving fans like these, a fighter couldn't exist.
ELAINE _ DEL _ LORRAINE
And with that, let us dedicate the King dynasty to the master of Self Defense, Welter Weight Walter King Jr.
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