Obituaries

Kenneth Dolphin was born October 9, 1950 in Elaine, Arkansas. He was the son of the late Essie Lee Dolphin and George Watkins. On September 6, 2023, God reached out his loving hands and Kenneth quietly departed his earthly life at home in his favorite chair. He went to his Heavenly Home with a very peaceful look on his face.

Kenneth accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at First Baptist Church Lakeview. In his walk -in life he often talked about Pastor Leroy Williams being a man of Faith and being Blessed with two great Pastors. He also was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Dayton, Ohio. Pastor Tommy Byrd was a dear friend.

Some of Kenneth’s great zeal in life was writing poems and songs. His writings were an expression of his character and experiences. Often, he would say “I may not be the best singer, but I have a fervor to write and touch the heart.” Fishing was also a number one hobby. The lake front in Lakeview Arkansas was his place of solace as well as joy. Kenneth could come up with ideas and suggestions to promote the goodness and wellness in people. He loved to shop for clothing and rearrange ideas for dressing.

His social life included Kenneth loving the dance floor. He often talked about Leroy Dolphin guiding him in life. He would always say, “he’s not a cousin to me, everyone deserves a big brother.”

Eager to achieve he graduated from C. V. White High School in Lakeview Arkansas, attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Dayton Trades School where he acquired various certifications in welding and woodwork, He also attended Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.

Kenneth performed several jobs throughout his life and career with the most meaningful being a Substitute Teacher in Lakeview, Arkansas.  He served as a volunteer Lakeview Firefighter. He knew cleverly and clearly how to start as well as stop a fire. He believed in keeping the lake bank clean and in order. He considered himself a gourmet cook, always changing/developing recipes and trying new combinations of foods, spices, and flavors.  He worked at various food service establishments in the Dayton area.

Kenneth is now joined with special loved ones who proceeded him in death: His loving and beloved mother; Essie Lee Dolphin, father; George Watkins, grandparents; Mayor Silas R. Dolphin and Etta M. Dolphin, son; Kenneth Ryan Massey (son’s Mother Bonnie Massey), a brother; Alvin L Dolphin, aunts;  Ludie (Rogerline) Mae Dolphin Johnson, Myrtle Lee (Essie’s Twin), Carrie Francis Dolphin, uncles; Herman Dolphin, Otis Dolphin Sr., Ronnie Oliver Dolphin, first cousins; Leroy (Beatrice) Dolphin (more like a brother), Randy Dolphin, Anita Johnson, Crystal Dolphin-Jessup, Otis Dolphin Jr., Jessie “Bo” Simmons (more like a brother), Alaric Thurman Dolphin, Sr., Yvonne Elaine (James) Golden, and Bessie Blumingburg (whom has always been dear to his heart).

He leaves to cherish his loving memory a brother; Andrew Phillips, Jr., sister; Etta J Phillips MS RD LD RET LTC of Dayton OH,  nephew; Cameron (Alexis) Dupree Dolphin, Sr., great nephews; Cameron Dupree Dolphin, Jr., Cylen Prince Mykel Dolphin of Dayton OH, niece; Andrea (Marcus) Felice Cook of Las Vegas NV, great nephews; Jac Cook, Malachi Cook, Nicholas Cook all of Las Vegas Nevada, Rodney (Kasey) Blumingburg (always referring to Kenneth as his “POP” and Kenneth referenced him as his “SON”) of Redfield AR, loved as grandchildren; Kylan Blumingburg, Kinsley Blumingburg, Kimber Blumingburg, first cousins; Cathy (Charles) Price of Helena AR, Janice (Rick – Deceased) Brown of Dayton OH, Karen Johnson of Sherwood AR, Charlotte (Michael) Stewart of Sherwood AR, Rogerline (Sheila) Johnson, Jr. of Robinsonville MS, Stephen (Rebecca) Johnson of Helena AR, aunts; Doris (Raybon, Sr. – Deceased) Hawkins of Germantown TN, Wilma (Charles, Sr. – Deceased) Sueing of Memphis TN, Edna (Donald, Sr.) Randolth of Wheaton IL, uncle; Kenneth (Francis) Watkins, Sr. of Wheaton IL, extended family, James Lee Wright (more like a brother going back to elementary school), Pearl Phillips Howse (more like a sister going back to elementary school) both from Little Rock AR, and a host of relatives and friends.