Kenneth Ray Dials, 84, of West Portsmouth, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the SOMC Hospice Center. He was born on January 26, 1942, in Vernon Twp, Scioto County, the son of the late Mary Virginia “Ginny” Lewis and Louis Allen Pollard.
A 1961 Portsmouth High School graduate, Kenny was a member of the former Teamsters Local #92, and had worked at Empire-Detroit Steel Corp. He was of the Lutheran faith and enjoyed time spent volunteering as a coach for West Pee Wee Bulldogs Basketball and Emrick’s Women’s Softball teams in the past. He was an ardent fan of horse racing and had two standardbred pacers. Kenny was also a lifetime member of both the Portsmouth and New Boston Eagles Aerie.
Kenny is survived by his four children, Kenneth Ray Dials II of Gallipolis, Lisa Lynne Dials of West Portsmouth, who lovingly cared for him for several years, Lori Renee (Brian) Lucas of Bidwell, and Jason Alan (Amy) Dials of Stout; his former wife who nursed him during his extended illness, Betty Joyce Scott Dials, of West Portsmouth; two brothers, Rick (Trenda) Polard of Moscow, and Todd (Kathy) Pollard of Hamersville; six grandchildren, Lauren Dials, Lindsey (Marc) Lorensen, Kayla (Josh) Mead, Lexi Dials, Zachary (Billie Curtis) Dials, and Christopher (Ivy) Dials; his beloved dog, Waffle; and his special “grand dog” Marley “Ray Ray”; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Lou and Ginny Pollard, Kenny was preceded in death by two siblings, Emery K. Dials and Geraldine “Gerri” Elliott.
Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. Larry Moore officiating. Interment will be in Scioto Burial Park
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 5 to 8 PM, and one hour prior to services on Saturday.
The family thanks the staff of Interim Health Care and SOMC Hospice for their compassionate care during Kenny’s illness.