Milbourne King Block, Sr. April 11, 1929 - October 6, 2014

M. King Block, 85, passed away after a lengthy illness on Monday, October 6th, 2014 in Ozark, Missouri. King was born in Superior, Nebraska to Christian and Hazel Block. He was preceded in death by his parents and his two siblings, Chad Block and Beverly Sullivan. King is survived by his former wife Jeannine Boone Block, children King Boone Block and wife Glenna of Ozark MO, daughter Candy Block Griffin and husband Stan of Mustang OK and son Christian Boone Block of Ames Iowa, and grandchildren King Boone Block 2nd wife Leah, Sam Block, Ali Griffin Barnes and husband Chris, and Asher Griffin. King’s outstanding athletic career began early as he earned 12 high school letters at Twin Falls, Idaho. Upon graduation, King was drafted by the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball team. He chose instead to play college football at University of Idaho. As King honed his social skills as a member of the SAE fraternity, he starred as Idaho’s fullback. As a senior he was named All Pac 8, named to the All-Coast Football team and drafted in 1951 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He chose to embark on a football coaching career starting in Grangeville, Idaho and later in Barstow, California. It was in 1952 that he married Jeannine Boone from Pullman, Washington. In 1954, he returned to University of Idaho as an assistant freshman coach while earning a Masters Degree. He was then led to Arkansas State University in 1955 as a backfield coach. He then became head coach of the Arkansas State University in 1960. In 1963, he had the opportunity to join the famed Nebraska Cornhuskers as their Linebackers coach under Bob Devaney. After winning the 1964 Orange Bowl with the Cornhuskers, King headed to Washington State University and joined the staff of the Cougars as Defensive Coordinator in 1964 through 1967. King then served as the Offensive Coordinator at Iowa State from 1968 through 1972. Success smiled on the Cyclones as King coached them to the1971 Sun Bowl and 1972 Liberty Bowl. King was an experienced horseman and a breeder of Quarter Horses, so he took these skills to his next adventure where he opened one of largest Western stores in Iowa, “King Blocks Korral”. King also had the Mid-American Quarter Horse Sales and spent many hours encouraging young adults to get involved with horse training. King’s Larger-Than-Life personality became a positive motivator for those around him. His love for his family was extremely important, and his passion to be one of the best was something he was always sharing! An unforgettable man! Please send any condolences to King Block, PO Box 500, Sparta, Mo 65753 There will be a memorial gathering at some future date in Ames, Iowa.