Dennis Wayne Denton

Dennis Wayne Denton passed away at his home in Colbert, GA on June 24, 2024. Dennis was born on October 1, 1949, to Ruby McClanahan Denton and Tommy C. L. Denton in Maryville, TN. He later moved to Oak Ridge, TN with his parents and older sister, Jonelle, when their father took a job at the weapons plant. His sister, Joy, and brother, Steve, joined the family during this time. Later during the Korean War, his father re-enlisted as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and the family spent two decades moving from place to place, as his father was transferred to different Air Force bases. His youngest brother, Barry, was born in Little Rock, AR. Dennis graduated from Jacksonville High School in a small town near Little Rock.

While his father was serving in Viet Nam, Dennis studied at La Junta Junior College in Colorado. During that time, he majored in speech and theater, and he was cast in the role of Ariel in the Shakespearean play, The Tempest. It was the first and only time his parents saw him act. After moving several more times, Dennis joined the Garden of the Gods Restaurant in Colorado Springs, CO as a maître d’, a job he loved. He also worked as a successful bartender in Orlando, FL. He was known for his ability to juggle bar glasses, for which he received good tips.

Later, he joined his parents and brother, Steve, at the Merch-a-Vend Company, the family business and settled in Winter Park, FL. Later he worked at Terminix and opened two businesses: a garage doors sales and repair and an auto repair business. 

Dennis was passionate about sports and specialty cars, motorcycles, cooking, and his dear friends.

When he retired, he settled in La Cruces, NM and then Colbert, GA.

Along with his parents, Dennis was preceded in death by his brothers, Barry Scott Denton and Steve Gene Denton.

He is survived by his sisters, Jonelle Denton Moore and Brenda Joy Denton. Other relatives include Miles Porter V, John Moore, Nicholas Denton, Andrew Denton, Cora Denton (great-niece), and Matthew Denton. 

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 28, at Lord and Stephens, East at 11:00 a.m.