Sad day: Former NM Gov. Bruce King dies at home

In a very sad development here in New Mexico, former Gov. Bruce King died today at 85.

From UNM School of Law:

Bruce King, who led his beloved State of New Mexico as governor for three terms, died early Friday morning at his ranch in Stanley. He was 85.

In 2001, King, known as “The Cowboy Governor”, donated his personal papers to the UNM School of Law to establish an archive for the use of researchers interested in public policy and New Mexico governmental issues and history.

In making the announcement of his death, his son, Attorney General Gary King (’83) said, “Bruce King would be the first one to tell us all that death is just another phase in the cycle of life and that we must go on with our lives trying to do the best we can while helping others make their way too. None of us in the family thought this day would come so soon after we lost my mom, Alice King, but we are comforted by the thought that Bruce and Alice can be together once again.”

Alice King died in December 2008.

Bruce King was a great man and will be dearly missed. Mr. King presided over New Mexico’s State Constitutional Convention in 1969. He was governor of New Mexico on three different occasions. New Mexico had a single term limit back then meaning that Gov. King would take a term off, then run again.

I have met him twice in my life. The first time was at a Furr’s Cafeteria. I’ll never forget my astonishment at being able to talk to a former governor while he was eating macaroni and cheese. The second was at the 4H auction he attended every year at the New Mexico State Fair.

If anyone is interested I encourage them to visit the online collection of Burce King’s papers available here.

New Mexico has lost a true friend today and our Democratic Party has lost one of its greatest leaders.