Don Carter King, Jr.

Don “Carter” King, Jr. was born December 13, 1954, in Jacksboro, Texas, to Don and Billie King. Born and raised on “the ranch,” he was the 4th generation to operate his family’s Herford ranch near Jermyn, Texas, which is still operating today. His upbringing on the ranch led him to fall in love with all things nature, specifically the animals they raised on the land. This led to his decision to attend Texas A&M University and graduate with a Masters degree and Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. While in school he met and married the love of his life, Rochelle Noland, and they married on June 11, 1977.

In September of 1979 they welcomed their son, Clint, and four years later added to their family with their daughter, Mandy. Carter practiced veterinary medicine for 16 years in the Ft. Worth area, and one of his proudest accomplishments during this time was opening his own practice, Kings Veterinary Services, that Carter and Rochelle ran together for 6 years. During this time, they also moved a family house originally built on the ranch in 1914 to the Ft. Worth area and poured their heart and soul into renovating the house back to its original glory.

After 16 years of living in the Ft. Worth area and running Kings Veterinary Services they “closed up shop” and moved out to Colorado in 1998 for a new adventure with Carter pursuing a new career with the Upjohn Company. Carter was able to continue enjoying his love of nature when visiting Rocky Mountain National Park with the family. The mountains almost became a second home as they were there virtually every weekend. Their time in Colorado came to a close in 2003 as Carter’s career provided him with opportunities in a new region, and they moved to the Texas Panhandle where the family was able to rekindle their love for the Lone Star State.

Carter joined a whole new “family” with Cactus Feeders in 2006 and enjoyed traveling the expansive areas of the Plains between feedlots, but he mainly loved the time spent with the Cactus Feeders family and working with the cattle.

During this time, Carter and Rochelle’s family grew as they welcomed a new son-in-law, Preston and daughter-in-law, Julie. However, their newest prides and joys entered the family four years later with their first granddaughter, Eliza King. A year later they welcomed their first grandson, Carter Madden and three years later Cameron Madden joined the family. Carter’s new nickname amongst the grandkids was “Doc,” and his spare time was then spent giving tractor rides, building playgrounds, playing ball, and giving lots of big bear hugs.

Carter slipped away peacefully on July 9, 2019, and took his last ride off into greener pastures. He lived a big and full life and was loved immensely by all his family and friends, and he always left an impression on those he met. He will be missed dearly by all those who knew him. Carter is survived by his wife Rochelle, son Clint and wife Julie King, daughter Mandy and husband Preston Madden, granddaughter Eliza King, grandsons Carter and Cameron Madden, and sister Sherry and husband John Peirce.

During his career, Carter had the distinguished honor of being a member of a number of professional organizations, but was especially proud of being an Honorary Director of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, a board member of the Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show in Ft. Worth, and a past member of the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.


If so desired, memorials may be made to:

Texas and Southwestern
Cattle Raisers Foundation
1600 Gendy Street

Fort Worth, Texas 76107
First United Methodist Church
406 North Main Street
Jacksboro, Texas 76458

Cactus Cares Foundation
Attn. Scholarship
P.O. Box 3050
Amarillo, Texas 7911

Cemetery Details

Graceland Cemetery

1669 FM 1191 North
Jermyn, TX, 76459

Online condolences can be shared here at Schooler Funeral Home and Coker Funeral Home.