Terry R. Dopson,
retired in 2003 as the Director for Kansas
City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation. His lifetime of service left a
legacy of public service and dedication to the quality of life through leisure
time activities provided through public recreation.
After attending Arlington State University, Dopson began his career with the United States Navy where he served as a recreation director in Bermuda, British West Indies (1960-62). During his enlistment, he developed and instituted many recreational programs. After leaving the Navy, Terry worked toward a bachelor of arts degree in recreation at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, graduating in 1966. After receiving his degree, he was appointed Recreation Director in Beaumont, Texas, a position he served in until 1967, when he was appointed Assistant Director. In 1970 he moved to Baytown, Texas where he became Director of Parks and Recreation. In 1975, Dopson was appointed Director of the Corpus Christi, Texas, Parks and Recreation Department and served there until 1987. Dopson was appointed as Director of Kansas City Parks and Recreation in 1988, a position he held until his retirement.
Dopson served in the profession through many state and national professional involvements. He was on the American Park and Recreation Society Board of Directors (1978-94), was APRS (1984-85), and Council of State Affiliates President (1976-77). Dopson was a member of the Board of Regents of the Western Revenue Resources School and the President of the Board of Regents. He also served as President of the National Riverpark and Waterfront Association, and was a member of the NRPA Great Lakes Regional Council. During his tenure as Director in Kansas City, his department hosted the 1996 NRPA national conference.
He was the recipient of many awards including the Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute Distinguished Fellow Award and "The Terry Dopson Education Endowment" Scholarship Fund was created in 1996 to honor his work and dedication to the Institute. He also received the NRPA Distinguished Professional Award.