Kenneth Ray Dop

May 9, 1939 - November 5, 2015

KENNETH RAY DOP, 76, was born May 9, 1939 on a farm south of Pleasantville, Iowa, and was the youngest child of Peter and Josephine (Van Peursem) Dop. He died from health complications due to lymphoma on November 5, 2015 at West Ridge Nursing Center. In his early years, Kenneth attended Sunnyside Country School in rural Marion County, graduating from Pleasantville High School in 1957. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1962; he was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged in 1964. On November 13, 1965, Kenneth was united in marriage to Ruby McDonald; the couple always resided in Knoxville. Both were known for their willingness to lend a helping hand to others. Kenneth farmed the “home place” for several years. Later, he was employed by the city of Knoxville for many years and then worked for the Pella Electric Company. Kenneth, the special "little brother" to his siblings, loved the farm life and then later looked forward to his daily visits to his own farm. He will be remembered for his interest in the daily lives of his family and friends and the joy he found in their visits. Often, his conversation centered on his love of cars, including the latest models, colors, designs, mileage, and costs, as well as the races at Knoxville Raceway. Nieces and nephews remember his interest in their choices of education, jobs, and careers. He was preceded in death by Ruby, his wife of 49 years; his parents; three brothers, Howard, Earl, and infant Harold; and one sister, Lucille Wolf. Surviving are two brothers, Harry (Marjorie) Dop and Roy (Beverly) Dop; two sisters, Dorothy (Robert) Handel and Irma (Wendell) Williams; sister-in-law, Betty Dop; and a host of nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends. The Dop family appreciates and wishes to acknowledge the kind and caring attention from the McDonald family, which permitted Kenneth to stay in his own home as long as possible. Visitation will begin at noon on Sunday at Bybee & Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. A service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 with interment afterward at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Central Iowa (Knoxville office) or to the Knoxville Senior Center for its Meals on Wheels program.