Sharon Louise King

Sharon King ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Evans Miller Guinn Exeter Chapel on Mar. 11, 2026.Sharon Louise King, a beloved mother and grandmother who lived a life that embraced the beauty of nature, the wonder of far-flung cultures, and the warmth of family, earned her eternal rest March 10 in Fresno. She was 86.Sharon was a third-generation native and lifelong resident of Exeter, California. She was born August 6, 1939, the second daughter, after her sister Shirley, of Winifred and Adolph Borgman. She attended Exeter public schools and graduated as salutatorian of Exeter Union High School in 1957. After graduating from high school, Sharon studied for two years at Seattle University. She then made the life-changing decision to join the U.S. State Department's Foreign Service. She was stationed in Palermo, the capital of the Italian island of Sicily, for three years. In addition to serving her country, Sharon traveled extensively and immersed herself in Italy's culture, people and language. She visited ancient ruins and grand cathedrals, learned to cook local cuisine, and enjoyed the colorful festivals of Italy. The experience strengthened her self-reliance and broadened her view of the world and global politics. She returned to the Central Valley and took a job as a legal secretary in Fresno. Soon after, she met her future husband, Patrick Joseph King. They married in January 1965. Having grown up in a small family, she was initially overwhelmed by the sprawling King clan (Pat was one of 12 children), but they embraced her immediately and she embraced them in return. A daughter, Sara Marie, was born in November 1965 and a son, Bennett Michael, in May 1967. The family loved the outdoors and would often go camping, RVing and backpacking. Sharon earned a degree in liberal studies from Fresno State and a teaching credential from the university a year later. She began teaching at Exeter's Lincoln Elementary School in 1978 and taught for 30 years in several of the town's elementary schools, educating generations of locals and making many lasting friendships in the school district. Some of those friends joined her on travels to Scotland, England, Wales, Central Europe, Russia, and the Holy Land. Throughout her career, Sharon was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honor society for women educators, serving in multiple leadership roles.After Pat passed away in 1981, Sharon raised her children as a single parent, always placing their needs before her own. Though being a single mom was challenging, Sharon provided her children with the knowledge and guidance to find their footing in the world and nurture families of their own. She instilled in them a love of music, cultures, travel and education. Sharon had an enduring faith as a lifelong member of Exeter's Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she volunteered for numerous church activities.Sharon shared a mischievous sense of humor with family and friends. She and a grandson, Jacob, played a game of tag that lasted until late in her life; Jacob says she tagged him last. Sharon loved her meticulously appointed home in Exeter and would often host family for Christmas. Cooking for the full brood, though, would test her patience – so much so that the grandchildren set out a "swear scorepad" for Grandma in the kitchen. She had a passion for cars and driving, with a soft spot for Volkswagens, owning five throughout her life. She loved reading, horses, a good Scotch, and the Sierra Nevadas. Everyone who was blessed to know Sharon loved her right back. In addition to her children, Sharon's light abides in grandchildren Patrick Huls, Jacob Huls, Lilly King and Adam King; and in Ben's wife, Kim King, and Sara's husband, Jody Murray. Her light also reaches several local cousins and second cousins, and scores of nieces and nephews.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.