'I was proud to call him my husband' wife pays tribute to man who died of heart attack (From Borehamwood Times)

Shenley wife pays tribute to Dave King, who died of heart disease

1:12pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Anna Slater

The family of a car repair man who died of a sudden heart attack have paid tribute to the “one in a million comedian”.

Football-mad Dave King died of undiagnosed heart disease at his home in Pippin Close, Shenley, on Monday.

His wife, Dawn King, described the grandfather-of-seven as her “star” and said the couple’s six children were all left heartbroken by his death.

The couple, who first got together 25 years ago, were getting ready to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary this Wednesday.

Dawn, 46, said it was "heartbreaking" to know he would no longer be with her.

She said: “We met on a blind date and I was petrified and didn’t want to go at all. But within minutes of meeting him I could see how charming he was.

“He would give his last penny to anybody and really would do anything for you. He was amazing, a true gent and the most selfless man I have ever met.

“Dave was one in a million, a total legend. He was the most perfect dad and grandpa and he loved all our kids to bits."

Dave owned a car repair body shop in Glenhaven Avenue, Borehamwood, and is described as a “hilarious and cheeky man”.

He was a keen DJ and would spend his evenings mixing music, before showing his creations off to friends and neighbours at summer barbecues.

Dawn added: “One of my favourite memories of him is when he was teasing our daughters. He put on a handbag on and pretended to be wearing high heels.

“He was mimicking them and we couldn’t stop laughing. That was Dave all over – trying to make everyone laugh and pulling funny faces. He was a proper comedian. 

“But he had a soft side and was the kindest man you could meet. In summer he would go outside and buy ice creams for the kids playing on the street."

She added: "Everyone knew him – they used to call him Uncle Dave and he was like a father figure to them. He would give all the young mums and children around here advice.

“They all had so much respect for him, I was proud to call him my husband.”

He was at his happiest when his favourite football team, Chelsea, were playing and Dawn has fond memories of watching him scream with delight when they scored a goal.

Mrs King is now determined to make sure something good comes out of his death by urging people to be on the lookout for symptoms of heart disease.

The couple were at home when Dave collapsed with the heart attack, and was later diagnosed with a blocked artery.

In the weeks leading up to his death, Dave had been complaining of heartburn-like symptoms but avoided going to the doctor.

She added: “It takes half-an-hour of your time to go and get checked out. It really could save your life.

“If you have shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat or heartburn please take my advice and go and get it checked out.

“He was such an inspiration to everybody so it would be great for him to continue helping people now he has passed.”

The funeral will be held this Thursday, March 21 at 2.15pm at Garston Crematorium, and a reception will be held at Borehamwood Football Club afterwards.

People are asked to wear Chelsea FC shirts or bright colours.