Kenneth Earl Dower

Ken Dower was born July 17,1927. Ken passed away on February 7, 2022. Originally from New Haven, CT, he and his wife Dottie, moved to California in 1970. They made Ramona their home in 1995.

Ken enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17, serving in WWII with his father and two brothers. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1948. During the Korean War, Ken fought in the historic Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in December 1950.

 As a civilian Federal employee, he served 35 years in Military Intelligence. Following retirement, he worked in the Space Systems Division at General Dynamics and later conducted Federal Background Investigations for the Department of Defense.

Ken and Dottie were members of the First Congregational Church in Ramona. He was a member of the Ramona Rotary Club serving the positions of Club President and Chief Assistant Governor. In addition, he served as President of the Ramona Senior Citizen Board, Director of Friends of the Library and was a lifetime member of VFW Post 3753 as Public Relations and Boy Scout Program Chair. He also volunteered for many years at Pomerado Hospital.

In 2008, Ken and Dottie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows among family and friends. In 2013, Ken and several other WWII Veterans, visited the military memorials in Washington, DC hosted by the San Diego Honor Flight Association. He was honored again by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce in 2016 receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was socially active with his group of friends attending social events in Ramona, playing poker, going to lunch or walking his dogs.

Dottie passed away in April of 2011. Ken is survived by three daughters and their husbands: Cheryl and Bill Knopf of Federalsburg, MD, Laurie and Jeff Clements of Ramona and Darla and AJ White of Ramona. Ken’s four grandsons and great granddaughter are Billy and Kylie Knopf of S. Hutton, NH, Hans Clements (deceased), Logan White of Dallas, TX and Trevor White of Dallas, TX. Private services will be held at Ramona Nuevo Memory Gardens.

Bonham Bros & Stewart Mortuary and Cremation Service is assisting the family.

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