– In Memoriam –
Jessica J. King
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my mother, Jessica J. King, at daybreak on June 15, 2024 at her home on the grounds of the Lake George RV Park. This is a tremendous loss for all who knew her or have been touched by the magical atmosphere she helped to create at the Park for over nearly 6 decades. Her life’s work and commitment to excellence can be celebrated in the beauty of the park’s landscape, the sound of children’s laughter, and the contentment felt by families that visit our resort. Generations of campers have cherished memories of family vacations at the Park because of her selfless efforts to create a sanctuary for families to retreat to. It brought her great joy to observe countless families enjoying themselves in our campground over her lifetime.
An industry pioneer and visionary
Mom’s heart and soul are behind all that my parents created together at the Lake George RV Park. In 1966, when mom & dad decided to develop a vacant 120-acre parcel of forest land into a campground, mom was contemplating how to create a special place for families to vacation. Mom & dad had been campers themselves introducing their own family to the RV camping experience in an Apache folding camper shortly after they married. Looking for more comfort and conveniences, they would quickly upgrade to a Holiday Rambler travel trailer. Not too many family camping trips had been taken when they began to envision using this vacant land to build a campground that would provide a true Adirondack wilderness camping experience with the comforts and conveniences typically only found at lodging resorts. The Lake George Travel Trailer Park opened in the spring of 1966 with nearly 200 full hook-up sites exclusively for RVs (30-amp electric, water and sanitary connections), all paved roads, an outdoor pool, kiddie pool, tennis court, bonfire pavilion, office, laundry, restrooms and showers. This Park would become a model that many would follow as the industry continued to develop in the following decades. From that point on, mom and dad would continue to nurture the development of the Park along with raising their own children. Now in our 58th season, my mother’s passion, vision and commitment to quality are still the driving force behind the Park’s success.
A life well lived, a loving heart, a lasting legacy
Although my mother was intricately involved in all aspects of the park development and operations, she had a particular passion for developing and maintaining the beauty of the Park’s landscape. Many campers would visit with her as she cared for the extensive annual and perennial plantings throughout the Park. Her green thumb and passion to create a special Park in the Adirondack woods have left a lasting impression on all who visit us each season. In her later years she would frequently be seen at our Camper Café where she enjoyed meeting our guests face to face and reminiscing about Park seasons of the past and the many generations of friends she made over those years. My mother found her greatest joy in life doing for others. Having never taken a summer vacation since the Park was built, she and my father dedicated their lives to making our Park the best it could be. To her, everything was possible in God, and while she kept her faith private, it gave her the comfort and inspiration to keep going when others may have stopped. She was extremely proud of her children’s decision to carry on the family business and continue the traditions that she and dad started. As my family embarks on a new path of life’s journey without her, we find great comfort and inspiration in continuing the tradition of providing camping families with a place to make memories that will last their lifetimes. My family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many of our guests as we continue to mourn our loss.
David J. King
President & CEO
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that my father, Vic King, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on May 7, 2012.
A Pioneering Vision
Dad was the visionary and creator of the Lake George RV Park which he loved and enjoyed until his last day. A camper himself, he began fulfilling his dream to build a campground in 1966 and worked diligently for over four decades to create what we cherish at the Park today. He was a true pioneer of the RV park industry; creating one of the first parks in the U.S. designed specifically for campers with recreational vehicles.
The park opened with over 200 full hookup sites, miles of paved roads and amenities not typically associated with outdoor hospitality resorts. He continued to make improvements every year, including; our indoor pool & recreation building, trolley shuttle service, the French Mountain Playhouse and our on-site RV rental program.
The Legacy Of Family
The Lake George RV Park has remained a model for the industry for the past forty-six years. Vic’s work remained his passion until his retirement in 2008. He enjoyed seeing our guests return each season with joy and enthusiasm for the beautiful park that he built. Dad had a great sense of humor and enjoyed visiting and sharing funny stories with our guests while he toured through the park making his daily rounds. He had a wonderful work ethic and truly enjoyed running the Park with his family. He impacted the lives of countless families that found peace, comfort and enjoyment under these Adirondack pines at the base of French Mountain.
Whether you personally knew my father or not, you can get a great sense of how special this man was by experiencing the magic of the Lake George RV Park. You may think that the Park is his greatest legacy, while it is so much more. My Dad’s most special gifts came from his heart, and he continues to live within everyone who comes to this special park and enjoys themselves here. We can all give thanks for everything my father shared while he was with us. He truly lived his life to the fullest. We will continue to celebrate all that he provided us as we go on with our own lives. His family continues to serve as the stewards of this special resort, always keeping Vic’s lifetime mission, of keeping the Park a place where families wish to return each year, a primary goal.
David J. King
President/CEO