Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Harry King was one of first veterinarians in Las Vegas with St. Francis Animal Hospital on Highland Drive. It was common for King to care for the pets of resort owners or entertainers on the Strip.
Harry King
“He loved being a vet. He loved everything about it,” said Ann King, his wife of 44 years.
Harry King, who spent nearly 30 years serving in the United States Air Force and who practiced veterinarian medicine in Las Vegas for nearly 40 years, died Sept. 8. He was 80.
It’s wasn’t uncommon for King to make house calls in caring for the animals. And when a pet was sick and needed to be put down, King has a certain level of compassion that helped comfort the owners, said Ann King.
“He would never let an animal suffer,” Ann King said. “If there was no way of getting better, he would be clear and gentle in letting you know it was time to do the ultimate service for your animal.”
As the city expanded, King grew with it, eventually opening the Legacy Animal Hospital on Windmill Road in Henderson. He retired in 2010.
“It didn’t matter if you owned the Stardust or lived in a tent, he made sure your animal was comfortable,” Ann King said.
Harry King loved to travel and visited 40 countries. He spent four years in England in the 1960s with the Air Force. He was part of the Air Force Reserves for 23 years while running his veterinarian clinic, and he rose to the rank of colonel, his wife said.
He was also a big fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Auburn University.
In addition to his wife, King’s survivors include a son, Ryan King; daughters Elizabeth Matto and Sarah Thomas; and grandchildren Jane Matto, Eddie Matto, Olivia Thomas and Rose Thomas.
A graveside services is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. Oct. 18 at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City.
