Kenneth Dean Dingman, Jr.

Kenneth Dean Dingman, Jr. was born on September 19, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri and departed this life on July 18, 2011 at his home following a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Dean Dingman, Sr. and Alvina (Hanselman) Dingman of the state of Iowa. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Myra (Phillips) Dingman and by his son, Dr. Sean Dingman and wife Renee of St. Louis, Missouri. He is also survived by his sister Karen Reynolds and husband Gary, his nephew Eric Reynolds, his niece Teri Poppen and husband Terry, and their sons Garret and Gabe; all of Iowa. He leaves behind a host of friends. Ken was born in St. Louis, Mo. After his father’s return from service in World War II, the family moved to Leon, Iowa, where he grew up. He graduated from Leon High School in l962. Following graduation, he worked for grocery stores until he was inducted into the U.S. Army in l965 and served until 1967 at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He left the Army with the rank of Spec. 5 having served with distinction in Army Food Service as a head cook. Following his time in the Army, Ken worked in management positions for a variety store chain in Iowa and Missouri. It was during this period that he and Myra were married in 1969. Their son Sean was born in Albany, Missouri. From Albany, the family moved to Boone, Iowa, before coming to Waynesville, Missouri in 1972. On returning to the Waynesville-Fort Leonard Wood area. Ken worked for Toombs and Sons as head cook and first shift cook in the Ft. Leonard Wood mess halls. He also worked as a head cook at the Fort Leonard Wood Officers Club for approximately two years. He left Ft. Wood to run the prison kitchen at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Facility at Pacific, Missouri. Ken was a superb chef and excelled in every place where he worked in food service. In 1983, Ken began working as a substitute teacher for the Waynesville School District. His good work and good classroom discipline soon had him in great demand. He found that he had to limit his work to Wood Middle School and Waynesville Senior High School within the district. In October of 1985, Principal Jack King of Wood Middle School asked Ken if he would accept a position as a teacher’s aide working with the learning disabilities teacher. Ken accepted the position and worked as a teacher’s aide at Wood Middle School and East Elementary School until the time of his retirement. Following retirement, he continued to work as a substitute teacher. The children were special to Ken and he was very devoted to their education and welfare. It was in education that he found work he loved even more than cooking. Ken was made a Master Mason on April 12, 1982 at Waynesville Lodge # 375 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He went on to become Master of the Lodge in 1987. In 2000, he was elected Master of Rolla Lodge # 213 where he had his membership until the time of his passing. On April 13, 1984, he became a Royal Arch Mason at Lebanon Chapter No. 64. After transferring his membership to the York Rite Bodies in Rolla, he served as Excellent High Priest of Rolla Chapter No. 32 Royal Arch Masons in l996; Illustrious Master of Rolla Council No. 39 Royal and Select Masters in 1998, and Commander of Rolla Commandery No. 59 Knights Templar in1998. Ken was honored with the Missouri York Rite’s Lewis and Clark Award in l998, and he was appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest for Region 4, District B of Royal Arch Masons of Missouri in that same year. He was a member of the York Rite High Priesthood in Missouri and in Iowa, Minnesota , and Illinois. In 1999, he was appointed Grand Representative of Minnesota in Missouri. In 2007-08, he presided as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Missouri. Ken served as Sovereign Master of Mid-Missouri Council No. 291 of Allied Masonic Degrees; Governor of Ray V. Denslow York Rite College No. 180; and Excellent Chief of Cell Airne Council No.75 Knight Masons.. He held the Knight of York Grand Cross of Honor. In 2003, he received the Order of the Purple Cross (York Rite Masonry’s highest honor). His other Masonic memberships and honors include: 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia--secretary of Knights of St. Andrew; Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priesthood.--House of Lord’s Tabernacle No. 72; St. Christopher’s Conclave Red Cross of Constantine; Royal Order of Scotland; White Shrine of Jerusalem; DeMolay Legion of Honor; Abou Ben Adhem Shrine (with eight crutches) and Past Rajah of South Central Shrine Club: Socmo Shrine Clown Unit; Past Royal Patron of Amaranth and Past Grand Prelate of the Grand Royal Court of Amaranth; Past Patron three times of Hanson Chapter No. 22 Order of Eastern Star; and the Ozark Council No. 109 Sword of Bunker Hill. Ken was a Past Noble Grand of Big Spring Lodge # 237 Independent Order of Oddfellows in St. James, MO. At the time of his passing, he served as the Secretary of Rolla Lodge # 231--Knights of Pythias. He was a Grand Officer in the Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias for the jurisdiction of Missouri and Kansas. He was an active member of the Pulaski County Area Retired School Personnel (PCARSP) and the Missouri State Retired Teachers Association (MRTA). He was also a member of the American Legion. He held other memberships and honors too numerous to mention. In addition to his devotion to the Masonic Lodge, Ken enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and supporting the St. Louis Cardinals in the summer. He loved old cars, antiques, and antique furniture. The best thing in this world that could ever happen to a cat was to be adopted by Ken and Myra Dingman. Ken loved his cats--especially his big black cat Ali Baba. Coming home from the hospital to be with them gave him peace in his last few days. Ken’s life touched so many people across the State of Missouri and the nation. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, brother, and uncle, He was an effective teacher and a loyal friend. The waves of love have gone out from his life to touch distant shores for ages to come. A memorial service with military honors was held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Rev. Roy Gilkey officiating. The songs “Blessed Assurance”, “Just A Closer Walk with Thee” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” were played. Military honors were provided by the Missouri Honors Team of Rolla, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ken Dingman and may be left at the funeral home.

Kenneth Dean Dingman, Jr.

September 19, 1944 - July 18, 2011