Capitol worker kept King's secret

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Bruce King was same warm and outgoing person in private as he was in public, a Capitol employee who used to see the governor almost daily said Friday.

Christal J. Branch told KRQE News 13 King was a person who genuinely cared about people. Branch began working at the state Capitol while King was governor and visited with him nearly everyday for 19 years.

King, who served three separated four-year terms from 1971 to 1994, died Nov. 13 at age 85. His funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Moriarty High School not far from the King ranch in Stanley.

"He would come in everyday and give me a big hug and kiss," Branch said. "If I was ill, after, for a couple weeks or so, he'd come in and say, 'How are you doing? I knew you were sick.'"

Branch had an up-close look since her office was right around the corner from where King parked every day. She disclosed there were a few times when the governor would try to avoid the limelight.

"Here's Gov. Bruce King in plain clothes, cowboy boots, and cowboy attire," Branch said recalling one time when he sneaked into the Capitol. "He says, 'Shhhh. Don't tell anybody I'm here. Don't tell security because I'm driving myself, and they wouldn't want me to drive myself. So, don't say a word.'"

Several years later, Branch was promoted to work the front information desk at the Capitol building. She always knew when King was nearby.

"The little click-clack of the boots, you kind of know those things after a while," Branch said. "I'd always here him say, 'Oh mighty fine! Mighty fine! How you doing? How you doing?'

"He could never get from point A to point B without taking 20 minutes to talk to everyone."

Branch also saw King as a devoted husband. Branch recalled the last time she saw King at the Capitol while first lady Alice King lay in state after her death in December.

Bruce King was not himself, she remembered. Because King missed his wife so much, Branch says that his death is not a time to mourn.

"It's not such a sad event," she said. "It's actually beautiful because now he's with Alice, and that's where he's always wanted to be."