Obituary
Ralph W. King
Ralph Wayne King, 81, of La Crescent, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, July 3, 2023, at home in Holmen, WI. He was born on February 13, 1942 to Fletcher and Ada King in Hollandale, MN. He married Judi (Anderson) King on June 21, 1975 in Hollandale.
Anyone who knew Ralph would remember him as a jokester and a musician. As a boy, he and his dad glued together a guitar they found abandoned in a migrant workers’ camp, which started his lifelong musical adventure. His grandmother (“Granny”) and his dad taught him some basic chords, and then an anonymous benefactor paid for 12 weeks of guitar lessons. In 1967 he released a 45” record featuring two original songs, “Blue and Grey” and “Mighty Lonely World,” with his band Rex King and the Shatters. In the 1970s and 80s, he was a member of the band Foggy Mountain Express, which played at bars and events in the La Crosse area, along with brother-in-law Sam Anderson and Mike and Arlene Hoskins. Ralph’s family and friends meant everything to him, and he loved his mother-in-law Marjory Anderson like his own.
Ralph was a pioneer in radio and television newsroom technology. After working as a cameraman at KAUS Austin, director at KEYC Mankato, and operations manager at WXOW La Crosse, in 1983 he founded Comprompter Inc., an electronic newsroom computer software company. He invented the first totally portable computerized prompting system. He was a forerunner in developing computerized broadcast captioning systems, including for emergency captioning. He also created one of the first automated election broadcast platforms. His technological innovations propelled newsroom technology into the twenty-first century, and he won multiple awards at the National Association of Broadcasters annual convention, including a Best of Show Award for Innovative Technology in Broadcast. Programmer and trusted friend Rick Hallock worked alongside Ralph since Comprompter’s founding, and he also worked with brother Roger, sister-in-law Connie Gibson, and son Randy. Ralph’s career took him (and Judi) around the world, including Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Ecuador, Holland, Jamaica, the Philippines, Saipan, Taiwan, Tanzania, and Trinidad.
Ralph is survived by his spouse Judi; children Randy (Karen), Rodney (Cristie), JoDee, Robin, Rusty (Bryan); beautiful grandchildren Larissa, Ralph Brandon, Ada, Carmelina, Reagan, Emily, Jocelyn, Jameson, and Wesley; and great-grandchildren Destiny, Mercedes, Dakota, and Averi. He is also survived by siblings Robert, Roger, Richard, Raymond, Rebecca Norwood, and Rudy, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Ralph was preceded in death by parents Fletcher and Ada King, beloved parents-in-law Perry (Mike) and Marjory Anderson, and brother Ronald King. The family would like to thank Mayo Clinic Hospice, Dr. Michael Meyers, and Dr. Jennifer Nordstrom for their terrific care in Ralph’s final years. Details about a celebration of life will be forthcoming.
We thought we knew Ralph, but his obituary has taught us so much more about him. We always admired his sense of humor and his love of music. Our condolences to his entire family. Memories of Ralph will live on through his friends and family.
Larry and Carol Stryker
He was a remarkable man, I’m so sorry for your loss King family.
Very sorry for the loss of your Dad. My prayers are with you and your family.
Laurie W.
Dearest Family of Ralph, all our love and condolences for your loss. We are so very thankful to have counted Ralph as friend ?
He was an incredible human, and I was so lucky to have know him.. Ralph will be missed.❤️ Judi and family sorry for your loss.
Judi and family,
May you find strength in one another and all the memories that embrace the amazing life of Ralph.
What an Amazing life he had and what a Wonderful Legacy he left… May he R.I.P ?❤
Short friend ship for rita and I and enjoyed every time we visited with him lots of fun great neighbor thanks Ralph
We are so sorry to have lost this dear friend! He was deeply devoted to his family…..our hearts are broken for all of you!
judi and family. so sorry to hear of ralphs passing. we used to love to go to were the band was playing very talented boy we didn,t know all that about ralph life sounds like he really made the best of it. your old neighbors in lacrescent george and carol johnston
Had the privilege of working with Ralph at WXOW- TV and following his business travels world wide after that. He left a great legacy and will be missed!
Judi and family… so sorry to hear of the loss of Ralph… we can only remember all the good times we had together traveling. Sending love and prayers.
Dick and Barb Konrad
What a wonderful friendship we made with Ralph & Judy. He would come over and tell jokes and he had a great personality as Judy would stop by and we would have coffee and solve the world’s problems and ours if we had any LOL. The king family was there for them, in their time and need! Such a lovely family!!! He was so blessed. We will miss you our dear friend ??