Mark Kenton Dopson

Mark Kenton Dopson, age 68, passed away July 28, 2015, at Palmdale Regional Medical Center at 12:08 pm. He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 48 years, Rosemary Dopson; son, Mark Christopher Dopson; daughters, Marla Renee Stringer (husband Timothy), and Monica Lynn Dopson; grandsons, Taylor Daniel and Tanner Ryan Dopson; step grandson Cody Elton Stringer; step granddaughter, Kara Ann Stringer; step great-grandson, Bryson Alan Stringer; and his older brother, Michael Imler Dopson.

Mark graduated from Raytown South High School located in Raytown, Missouri in 1965. During all four years in high school, he played the trombone in both the high school Marching and Jazz Bands, and it was that Jazz Band that was selected to make a recording with Count Basie and his band.

Mark served honorably in the United States Air Force for 20 years. He supported the Vietnam Conflict as a loadmaster/loadmaster instructor.

After a career field change to Contracting while assigned to Torrejon AFB in Spain, he was selected as the Contracting Officer for the Proud Phantom Exercise in which the United States trained the Egyptians how to fly and maintain the F-4 Phantom fighter-bomber. He was specially selected to work for a special program and spent the last two years of his career working on the F-117 Stealth Fighter Program as a Contracting Supervisor. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Mark worked for Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Aerotest.

As a very devoted husband and father, Mark spent all of his extra time either coaching or chasing one of his children at the ball field, park or basketball court. If it wasn’t soccer, baseball, basketball, or football season, Mark enjoyed fishing. All the life lessons he taught in sports or fishing will be carried on and cherished by his devoted family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Heart Association or Disabled American Veterans.

Services will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at 1:00 pm at Joshua Mortuary Palmdale, 3150 East Palmdale Blvd Palmdale, CA 93550; 661-947-4415.

Interment will be at Joshua Memorial Park ; 808 East Lancaster Blvd Lancaster, CA 93535; 661-942-8125