The Family of TSGT Mark K. Dopson, USAF (Ret) has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to accompany him and his family to Joshua Memorial Park Cemetery to honor this hero, and participate in his service. We are honored to do so.
Mark was born on 2/14/1947 sharing the same birth date, six years later as his older brother. He was raised in the family home in Raytown, Mo., after High School Mark enlisted at the age of 18 on Sept 02 1965 into the USAF TSgt Mark K. Dopson retired from the Air Force on Sept 30 1985, meanwhile assigned to his first duty station in Georgia he met his wife to be Rosemary.
Mark served in three career fields while in the Air Force; General Administration, Air Crew and Contact Administrator. He qualified as load master on C-141’s and while assigned to 14 MAS out of Norton AFB, Ca. He also assisted in carrying the prisoners from the Melie incident back from Vietnam. Flying in and out of Vietnam he performed many tasks. On one he assisted a doctor on an emergency medical flight deliver a premature baby while transiting from Midway Island to Hawaii. On another flight he assisted in surgery on a young Vietnamese boy.
Also serving in Spain as a Contract Administrator he was chosen to go TDY to Egypt as the Contracting Officer for military exercise,“ Proud Phantom”. This was to show the Egyptian air force how to fly and maintain aircraft properly. His last three years in the Air force, before retiring, was served on a special project the was so secret he couldn’t discuss it with himself let alone his family. This project was the F-117 never seen “Stealth fighter”. After retiring he went on to work for Lockheed the contractor for the F-117.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Rosemary (Williams) Dopson, son Mark Christopher and his two sons, Taylor Daniel & Tanner Ryan Dopson, two daughters; Marla Renee (Dopson) Stringer and Monica Lynn Dopson and his older brother, Michael Imler Dopson.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the Joshua Mortuary/Dignity Memorial to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to Joshua Memorial Park Cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time table for Tuesday 04 August 2015: 1230 – Stage at Joshua Mortuary/Dignity Memorial: 3150 East Palmdale Blvd, Palmdale, CA 93550
1245 – Mission Briefing.
1300 – Flag Line at the mortuary
1400 – K.S.U. Accompany to Joshua Memorial Park Cemetery; 808 East Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, CA
ETA 1430 – Reform Flag Line at Grave Site
Map link for this mission -
http://mapq.st/1M4lYvD R/C Larry MillerSP4 US Army 76-79
Cell: 661 816 1263
Larrymillerpgr@gmail.com
SoCalPGR Regional R/C
"We ride in HONOR of those who have served..
We ride in HOPE for the safety of those who are serving...
We ride in MEMORY of those we have lost."
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember to share your condolences with the family at this link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?406796
