Luther Dooley Obituary

Luther H. Dooley, 90, of Des Moines passed from this life on Thursday, May 21st. Luther was an adoring husband to his late wife, Myrna. He will also be remembered as a wonderful grandfather and great grandfather who delighted in sharing his time and experiences.

He was born January 14, 1925 in Pittsburg, Missouri to Emmett Lafayette and Almira Hofstetter Dooley. He married Myrna Holmes February 28, 1953.

He was a graduate of the Marshall, Missouri High School and attended Missouri Valley College. He was inducted into the army during World War II and served at Ft. Benning, Georgia until honorably discharged.

He spent his entire career with the J.C. Penney Company. He worked in a number of communities for J.C. Penney including Ottumwa, Iowa; Jefferson City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; St. Paul, Minnesota and Des Moines, Iowa. He retired as manager of the downtown Des Moines Penney store in 1985.

In addition to being a dedicated executive and doting family man he also gave time to other activities. Luther enjoyed the game of golf, gardening, Hawkeye sports and his investment club. He was a 45-year member of the downtown Kiwanis Club as well as a past president of Kiwanis in West St. Paul, MN and held 50-year memberships with the Acanthus Masonic Lodge, Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine.

He is survived by his grandchildren Mindy and her husband Bret Zvacek of Hannawa Falls, NY and Tammy and her husband Neil Guy of Des Moines. He is also survived by his great grandchild Jenna Guy of Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his wife Myrna and his daughter and son-in-law Jacquie and Mort Baker and also by his parents and siblings Lera Neece, Vera Hunt, Etha Breshears and Chester Dooley.

A brief Prayer Service celebrating his life will be held at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 1020 24th Street, West Des Moines on Sunday, May 31st at 5pm. The family will greet friends following the service until 7:30 pm at the church. The burial will be Monday, June 1st at 10:30 a.m. at the Ottumwa Cemetery in Ottumwa, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or Kiwanis Children's Fund.

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ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES ~ WESTOVER CHAPEL.

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