Known to all his family and friends as Kenny, Kenneth, Ken, and even C.K., but never Calvin, Kenneth led an exciting and fulfilling life! Kenneth was born November 10, 1930, on the kitchen table at a farmhouse in Lucas, Missouri. He spent his childhood growing up in Urich, Missouri before moving to Northeast Kansas City with his parents, where his father got a job at Sheffield Steel as a pipefitter.
Ken married, joined the Navy and started a family all in 1951. After 4 years in the Navy stationed in Japan and San Diego during the Korean War, he got a job at Midwest Research Institute. There he attended Finley Engineering College and got a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but with his work in the Navy as a radar repairman he also possessed electronic engineering skills. He worked for MRI in a variety of positions and eventually moved up to the grade of Scientist. While there he worked on a variety of innovative designs which included electrodes that stuck to astronauts while they were in space, using the third harmonic in the electrical power grid to flip a switch anywhere in the Eastern United States, cooling tower testing, and chemical warfare detection. During this time, he also was in the Navy Reserves where he earned his commission becoming what is known as a Mustang. This is someone who moves from enlisted to a Commission Officer where he attained the level of Lieutenant JG before ending his career in the Navy after 13 years.
In 1980 C.K. was hired by Trans World Airlines Properties and Facilities to work on many of TWA's buildings and facilities around the United States. In the mid 80's he worked for Burns and McDonald's Consulting Engineers as the Construction Manager for TWA's Jet Simulator building and Reservation Facility near MCI airport. After that, he was self-employed running Breech Training Academy for TWA in Overland Park, Kansas. He then retired for a few years before being offered a position to be one of the 7 supervisors of TWA's Overhaul Facility near Kansas City's MCI airport. He worked there for 3 years before retiring for a second and final time. Ken spent his retirement flying his airplane, eating out with his wife Jean, and helped his sons raise their children. He traveled quite a bit during this time enjoying San Diego, Yellowstone, the Caribbean and all points in between. He ended his final years by having breakfast and dinner out with his wife every day, feeding the red birds and bluebirds, and walking his dog.
During Ken's life he restored many vehicles including a 1934 Hupmobile, a 1929 Graham Paige, a few VW Beetles, a 1954 Austin Healey 100-4 and a Pacer airplane.
C.K. was introduced to floating rivers of Missouri and Arkansas by his good friend Bob Conklin. He took his 3 boys down many rivers in Missouri where he taught them the skills of survival (without their mother).
Kenneth was introduced to flying airplanes by his oldest son Kenneth Ray. This became one of his life's greatest joys. He owned 5 different airplanes during his life. Ken was also a motorcyclist. This started when he was a young boy by owning a Wizard and Cushman motor scooter. He ended up buying a 1948 Indian Chief when he was only 17 years old, but he was so light weight he couldn't kick-start it and had to have the dealer start it for him so he could ride it home. He ended up with a BMW that he rode for many years with his sons on many great adventures.
Kenny was a man of strong convictions and not scared of expressing his views. He saw Roe versus Wade overturned before his death. He was a devout Christian and believed in the written Bible. Being raised as a Baptist but switched to Methodist when he married his wife. He attended White Avenue Methodist Church in Northeast Kansas City until its closure in the 2000's. He moved to Blue Springs United Methodist Church and then to United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. He read The Quran as well as The Book of Mormon only to enlighten his knowledge.
He is preceded in death by his Father Elmer Jacob Terry Doll, Mother Zola May (Greg) Doll, and sister Mary Lynn Smith.
Kenny leaves behind his loving wife of 72 years.
His loyal dog Tiffany Barbie Sherie Doll.
3 sons; Kenneth's 6 Grandchildren, and Ken's 10 Great-Grandchildren.
Ken's Calibration of Life will be held on his Birthday November 10th in Holden, MO at: Cambell-Cast Funeral Home 407 S. Pine St. Holden, MO 64040. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Services from 11:30 A.M. to 12:00 Noon. Burial at Medford Cemetery to follow (Casual attire requested). In lieu of flowers the family would like donations sent to his nephew's group home, Shenandoah Valley Community Residences 301 N. Cameron St. Winchester, VA 22601 or St. Croix Hospice 1524 E. 23rd St. Suite 101 Independence, MO 64055. Online condolences may be left at www.castfuneralhome.com.