David Patton Kappes

David Patton Kappes, 81, of Clarksville, Ohio, died Saturday night in a hospital in Wilmington, Ohio, after a short battle with Covid-19. He was a former resident of Hitchins, Ky. Born Sept. 11, 1940, in Grayson, Ky., he was the son of the late Robert G. and Geneva R. Kappes of Hitchins. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane; a son, David Jay Kappes (Melinda) of Lebanon, Ohio; a daughter, Melissa Kappes-Miller (Todd) of Lebanon; a sister, Laura Vincent of Ashland, Ky.; a brother, Keith Kappes (Janet) of Morehead, Ky.; three grandchildren, Allison, Elliott and Abigail Mae; and two great-grandchildren, Eli and Ruby Jean; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was a 1958 graduate of Hitchins High School and attended Ashland Community and Technical College. A retired utilities supervisor for the Mason City Schools, he previously worked at AK Steel in Middletown, Ohio, and owned and operated a heating and air conditioning business in Lebanon. A lifelong fan of the UK basketball Wildcats and the Cincinnati Reds, he also enjoyed reading, hunting, woodworking, gardening, and cooking. David served 10 years in the Navy and was especially proud of his service aboard the USS Enterprise, America’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. He was an active member of the Bible Baptist Church of Morrow, Ohio. A memorial service will be conducted later.