U’Pal King, a dedicated human resources staff member with the singing voice of an angel, died Dec. 26. She was 64.
King held various positions in the department, retiring in 2009 after 23 years at Cal Poly Pomona as an employee/labor relations specialist.
Former human resources employee Nolan Dyo (’06, management and human resources) worked with King in the department and said she was well known on campus by most staff and faculty. King, a devout Christian, was active in the university’s gospel choir and served as the emcee for the Administration Games event one year.
Dyo said that King was supportive and encouraging.
“She was my first mentor,” Dyo said, “and I now share with others all of the great lessons and wisdom she shared with me.”
Therese Turner, a retired human resources staff member who worked with King in employee relations, said that King left her mark at Cal Poly Pomona.
“She had an astronomical impact on the entire campus and had a voice of an angel,” Turner said. “Boy, could she sing.”
King was born and raised in Los Angeles, the fifth of six children in her family. She was very involved in church growing up. Her singing and piano playing eventually led to her joining her church choir. As an adult, she performed jazz at various events and venues, accompanied by her brother John on saxophone.
After graduating from Manual Arts High School, King worked for First Interstate Bank, and then came to Cal Poly Pomona in the early 1980s.
King is survived by her husband of 43 years, Edward King Sr.; her two children Edward King Jr. and Durelle; grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.