Kenneth Charles Depoe

Kenneth C. Depoe passed away peacefully on May 14 at the age of 96, leaving a legacy of a life richly lived in service and kindness. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 64 years, the late E. Yvonne Depoe (nee Brubaker) who passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025, son Craig, daughter-in-law Mary Elizabeth, grandchildren Nathaniel and Charlotte, and numerous family and friends. His parents and brothers, Merril and Richard, preceded him in death. Ken was born in Lancaster on December 27, 1928, to Merril B. and Margaret (nee Grimes) Depoe. It was growing up on South Queen Street near the County Park where Ken developed his love of the outdoors and nature. He would dig up night crawlers in the park to sell to local merchants and worked at the local florist, cultivating his passion for growing things. Always active, Ken started playing basketball at the Lancaster YMCA church league and then for the Boys Club in the City-County League at age twelve. He graduated from McCaskey High School in 1946 and Millersville State College in 1950 with a B.S. in Education. While at Millersville, Ken played basketball, was captain in his senior year, and was the leading scorer in his last two years. After graduation, Ken went on to play for the semi-professional basketball team, the “Lancaster Rockets” for one season. Ken began his teaching career at East Donegal High School (Maytown) in 1950. He joined the Donegal Union School District in 1954, serving as the head of the Industrial/Graphic Arts Department until his retirement in 1990. From 1972-1990, Ken held the position of Assistant Athletic Director and attended all the athletic functions. He could often be seen manning the scoreboard, moving bleachers, or sweeping floors. He coached basketball from 1950-1958, bringing his team to the 1955 Regional Championships. In 1955, he was awarded Coach of the Year. Ken also coached junior high wrestling from 1961 to 1971, with an undefeated season in 1964. As a Mount Joy Athletic Association member, Ken coached baseball for several youth age groups. He was inducted into the Donegal HS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. In an article reflecting on his 40-year teaching career and what he hoped to achieve, Ken said, "To educate, to stress opportunity and to make a difference." Ken most certainly fulfilled these ideals. In 1977, he was honored with an Outstanding Contributions to Education, Youth, and Community Involvement award. He was among the top 10 finalists for the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Award. Teaching was Ken's business, whether in or out of the classroom. He thoroughly enjoyed mentoring young people as a Boy Scout Merit Badge counselor and, perhaps his favorite, as an instructor of fly-tying classes. Under Ken's guidance, the students in his fly-tying club at Donegal HS worked to improve the streams so they would understand and appreciate having a place to catch trout with their fly-tie creations. Fishing and Nature Conservation were Ken's passions. He founded the Donegal Fish and Conservation Association in 1965 and the Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited in 1968. During this time, he was instrumental in establishing Lancaster County's first "Fly Fishing Only" stream. Ken expanded the effort over the years, enlisting anglers' and Donegal students to help make stream improvements. Proceeds from this group's annual sports show were used to purchase food for the trout he raised at the DFCA-PFBC Cooperative Nursery. Ken was a well-known fly tyer in the fly-fishing community. He invited legendary fly fishermen such as the late Lefty Kreh, Poul Jorgensen, and Charles Meck to speak at the yearly event. As for his dedication to the Donegal Creek Watershed and creating a fly-fishing venue, without fail, Ken would go to the fish nursery every day to feed and nurture the fingerlings to maturity for over 50 years. Each Spring, he would stock the trout in local streams for the enjoyment of all anglers. In April 2023, a bridge over Donegal Creek on Anderson Ferry Road was dedicated as the Kenneth C. Depoe DFCA Bridge. Ken also served as Urban Director of the Lancaster County Conservation District. Over the years, he received numerous honors and awards for his work in conservation. He remarked he was most proud of being invited to membership in the Harrisburg Fly Fishers "Order of the Hat" for "recognition of the high principles and ideals he represented in issues of conversation, stream enhancement, and Sportsmanship, saving and preserving our National Resources and defending the cause of Conservation." In 2001, Ken was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his founding of The Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a lifetime dedicated to preserving cold-water resources. A member of St. Marks United Methodist Church, Ken served on the administrative board and as a chief steward for many years. Ken was known, loved, and respected by many. And if you knew Ken, you knew Yvonne. They were married for 64 years and were inseparable. Together, they built a life filled with love and deep commitment to their family and friends. Whether they were sitting on their front porch waving at neighbors passing by, cheering on the Hershey Bears, camping at Fisherman's Paradise, or playing with their grandchildren at the beach, you could be guaranteed a warm smile and a wonderful fishing tale. Truly, Ken's favorite people were his grandchildren. He was a quiet, gentle, and consistent influence in their lives, guiding and teaching them by example. He was devoted entirely to nurturing them, as he had with so many others before. Ken will be dearly missed but so lovingly remembered for a life richly lived in humility, kindness, and service to others. A Memorial Service Celebrating Ken and Yvonne's Life will be held at St. Marks United Methodist Church, 27 East Main Street, Mount Joy, PA, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 11 AM. Ken's family will receive guests immediately following the service. Ken and Yvonne were interred in the Henry Eberle Cemetery, Mount Joy. Memorial contributions to The Donegal Fish And Conservation, PO Box 71, Mount Joy, PA 17552, would be deeply appreciated.

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Kenneth Charles Depoe

December 27, 1928 - May 14, 2025