Obituary for Doil Lee Dover at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home (2024)

Doil Lee Dover, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, died peacefully on June 24, 2024 at his home in the Kansas City Northland. Doil was a deeply kind and generousman. His self-effacing demeanor belied his keen intelligence, determination and tremendousbusiness acumen. He will be terribly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Doil was the owner and president of Dover Graphics, a Kansas City firm specializing inbusiness equipment sales and service. For over 30 years, Dover Graphics installed printingand duplicating equipment in schools, hospitals, print shops and major corporationsthroughout the Midwest. Loyal customers included Hallmark Cards, the Kansas City Star,TWA, H&R Block, the State of Missouri and the U.S. Navy. Doil was active in the Kansas Citybusiness community, where he was appreciated by his clients, colleagues and employees forhis honesty, integrity and personal warmth.

The oldest of ten children, Doil was born and raised in rural northeast Arkansas. He was theultimate self-made man. From an early age, he worked in the cotton fields alongside hismother and younger siblings, and continued to help his family throughout his life. After joiningthe Air Force, Doil was able to complete his high school education, and attended college onthe GI Bill, graduating from Arkansas State University with a degree in businessadministration. During college he sold Wear-Ever pots and pans and encyclopedias door-to-door. His job as a sales representative with the Bell and Howell Company was a springboardfor his rapid advancement to district Manager in Kansas City. He was ultimately offered theposition of National Sales Manager, but elected to remain in Kansas City to raise his youngfamily before starting his own business in 1975.

Family connections were central to Doil’s life. He married Janice Steed in 1957, and they hadtwo children, Connie and Jef. Among his greatest pleasures were being with family; fishingwith his brothers; singing and listening to folk and old-time music; searching for interestingantiques and collectibles; summertime stays with Janice in Taylor Park, Colorado, where hereveled in the pine-scented mountain air, traversed high passes in his Jeep Cherokee, andenjoyed hiking, fly-fishing, hummingbird watching and cooking breakfast over a campfire.Most notably, Doil Dover could bake a great apple pie.

Doil’s spirit was rooted in a calm, gentle place. He was naturally gracious, and treated everyone he knew with true kindness. His humble beginnings instilled in him a sensitivity to the self-esteem of others, and he mentored many people, young and old, throughout his life.In times of personal disappointment, Doil maintained toward others a charitable attitude bornof his natural empathy and compassion.

Doil was known for his droll observations and dry one-liners, and he had a playful and oftenmischievous sense of humor. In an effort to win an on-going tomato growing contest with agood friend, Doil painted a large pumpkin bright red and tried to pass it off as one of hishome-grown tomatoes.

Generosity was a cornerstone of Doil’s character – he and Janice opened their home tofamily, friends, acquaintances, and those in need of hospitality. They hosted parties, familydinners, musical gatherings, and freely gave of their time, resources, encouragement andwisdom. They were active at Hillside Christian Church, where Doil was an elder, and whenthey entered the Catholic Church, he supported Janice in her roles as Eucharistic Minister,Director of Religious Education and Chairperson of the Peace and Justice Committee at SaintPatrick’s Parish.

Doil staunchly supported his family and friends with guidance and encouragement. Within his own family, he helped his daughter Connie establish her singing career and independent record label. Doil and Janice were instrumental in helping their son Jef launch North Kansas City’s award-winning Le Monde Bakery, and Doil was a proud cheerleader for Janice as she obtained her theology degree from Rockhurst University.

Doil Dover took his comfort from life’s small joys. He would often say, “It’s the little things in life that make you happy.” When faced with new or tough situations, he would encourage adaptation and equanimity. One of his favorite sayings was, “We work with what is, and thisis what is.”

In 2013 Doil suffered a hemorrhagic stroke that left him disabled for the rest of his life. Withcharacteristic grace, he never complained or bemoaned his fate. His courage and goodhumor won the hearts of everyone who assisted him during this time. In the midst of his ownsuffering, he continued to offer those around him expressions of gratitude, praise and support.

Doil’s daughter, Connie would like to offer this insight into her father’s nature:“One autumn afternoon, I was visiting Dad in the skilled nursing unit where he stayed formonths following his stroke. We were holding hands, and as I drew away and prepared toleave he said to me, “Hey Con - don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.” I was feelingheartbroken about my father’s condition, and I asked him, “Even when there are no roses?”And Dad replied, “There are always roses.”

Doil Dover is survived by his wife, Janice Dover, daughter Connie Dover, son Jef Dover,daughter-in-law Shannon Dover, sister Bonnie Dover Fleming (Mack), brother Jerry Dover(Connie), brother Wayne Dover (Sandra), sister Caroline Dover Ingram (Johnny), sisterDianne Dover, brother Terry Dover (Monica), sister-in-law Gail McIlhany, brother-in-law MacMcIlhany, nephew Charles McIlhany (Nadia) and many more nieces and nephews. He waspreceded in death by his mother, Lillian Williams Dover, father Lawrence Dover, sister BettyDover Worsham, brother Bob Dover and brother Butch Dover.

The Dover family is very grateful to Apple Orchard Hospice, First Light Home Care, SeniorHelpers and the treasured caregivers who provided Doil with care and comfort over the years.The family welcomes all to Doil’s funeral liturgy on Tuesday, July 2 at 11 am at St Patrick’sChurch, 1357 NE 42nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64116. Donations may be made to St. Patrick’s Church.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com