Denny Roy Dennis

Denny Roy Dennis, 67, of Springfield, , was born on Oct. 18, 1952, to Roy and Marvelene (Brown) Dennis in Nevada.  He departed this life on Dec. 30, 2019, at Sunterra Springs in Springfield following a recent diagnosis of a glioblastoma brain tumor.

Denny grew up in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, and graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1970.  He attended Missouri State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1976.  Following in his dad’s footsteps, Denny began a 30-year career with the United States Postal Service, retiring in 2007.

On May 17, 1987, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Shellhorn.  They enjoyed many adventures together, with numerous trips to Hawaii and Colorado being among the most memorable.  Vacations brought great pleasure, but nothing compared to the joy the birth of their son, Aaron, brought to the Dennis family.  Denny was exceptionally proud of Aaron and all that he accomplished, both academically and athletically.  In Aaron’s competitive swimming career that began when he was eight and ended when he was 22, Denny missed only two swim meets.  A dozen family vacations to Disney World were probably enjoyed as much or more by Denny as they were by Aaron.

Denny was a longtime fan of the MSU Bears’ athletics teams and was a season ticket holder to football and men’s and women’s basketball games for many years.  He appreciated nature and was continually on the lookout for deer, wild turkeys and bald eagles during his and Marilyn’s many day-trip excursions following their retirement.  Denny was fiercely loyal to his parents and extended family members and dabbled in genealogy research of the Dennis and Brown families.

He was not a pretentious man.  What you saw on the outside was genuinely who he was on the inside.  Denny never felt the need to dress to impress, eat gourmet food, or attend large social gatherings.  He was happiest wearing shorts and a T-shirt, eating homestyle-cooked meals and spending time with his family.

Denny is survived by his parents, Roy and Marvelene Dennis, El Dorado Springs; his wife, Marilyn Dennis, of the home; and his son, Aaron Dennis, Springfield  Also surviving are sisters-in-law Arlene Dennis, Phoenix, AZ; Saundra (Chris Tabor) Bobbett, Lee’s Summit; and brother-in-law, Larry (Lisa) Shellhorn, Republic.  In addition, Denny is survived by nieces, Danielle Wyland, Bronaug; Misty Pettit, Nevada; and nephew, Dane (Bridget) Dennis, Webb City, as well as numerous other relatives and friends.  Denny’s brother, Danny Dennis, preceded him in death.  

Services wee held on Saturday, Jan. 4. A graveside service was held  that day in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery.

Hold your loved ones close, because your life can be turned upside down in an instant by a most unexpected health diagnosis.  Denny loved children and, in lieu of flowers, his family suggests that you direct any memorial donations you might wish to make to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, 949 East Primrose Street, Springfield, MO 65807, to provide respite for families whose children are hospitalized.