LYNN RAY DENNIS
Lynn Ray Dennis, 67, passed away on June 22, 2012 from his battle with pancreatic cancer for the past two and a half years at his home at Sun Valley Lake.
Lynn was born September 30, 1944 in Bethany, Missouri, the son of Ivan and Nadine (Selby) Dennis. Lynn grew up at Mount Ayr, Iowa and graduated from Mount Ayr Community high school in 1963. Lynn was married to Mickey Rice on February 16, 1964 and together they had three sons, David, Chris and Brent. Lynn later married Marge Smith on December 15, 1990 and became the stepfather to two more sons, Mitchell and Mike. Lynn owned and operated Dennis Parking Maintenance, a successful pavement marking company for over 40 years. Lynn started his company in 1968 with a 1949 Ford pickup truck and a pull-behind sweeper, which through his persistence, grew the company into national recognition.
This may have been his job, but his passion and love fell in three categories: classic cars, bass/trout fishing and country western dancing! Lynn was the proud owner of several show cars that he enjoyed showing in competitions and sharing his stories with anyone who would listen. He had a love for fishing that was evident with the many trophy mounts that he accumulated from lakes all over the world. To say that Lynn loved country western music and dancing would be an understatement. Lynn built the Eagles Nest Dance Hall in 2009 at Sun Valley Lake for his friends and dance family to have a first class facility to kick up their heels. Lynn was a high-energy dancer who could teach anyone to dance within a few songs…do we dare mention the triple-step! This was a place of enjoyment where music stars from all over the midwest came to perform so people could listen to great music and dance on the nicest ‘diamond-ground’ dance floor in Iowa.
Lynn was preceded in death by his brother, Keith Dennis in 1957 and Albert Burton, birth father, in 2000.
Lynn is survived by his parents, Ivan and Nadine Dennis of Independence, Missouri; wife, Marge Dennis of Ankeny, Iowa; sons, David Dennis of Des Moines, Iowa and his children, Melinda (son Jaden), Devin and Derrick; Chris Dennis of Pleasant Hill, Iowa and his children, Mikayla and Kali; Brent (Amie) Dennis of Gatesville, Texas and their children, Tucker and Kelsie; stepsons, Mitchell Faught of Berryville, Arkansas and Mike Faught of Springfield, Missouri and their families; brother, Mike (Linda) Dennis of Sandy, Utah; sisters, Linda (Dave) Wilcox of Coos Bay, Oregon and Janet (John) Richardson of Independence, Missouri, and nieces, nephews, other relatives and many good and close friends.
Steve Adams (brother-in-law) and Brent Dennis (his son) offered tireless efforts in helping Dad through his journey. There was also medical guidance from the doctors and staff at Mayo Clinic, care and support at the Taylor House and finally the support at Greater Regional Hospice in Creston, Iowa as his fight came to an end.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be dedicated to the Taylor House Hospice, 3401 East Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50317, in Lynn’s name.
Services were conducted at the Ankeny Church of Christ on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, and at the Eagle’s Nest Dance Hall at Sun Valley Lake in Ellston on Thursday, June 28, 2012, with Junior Morgan officiating. Musicians were Mike Duley, Vance Monday, Gregg Graeff, Dick Stephens, Roxanne Gregg, Mike Dennis and Suzanne Williams.
Casket bearers at the Ankeny Church of Christ were Bob Messer, Bob Burd, Devin Dennis, J.R. Rasty, Derrick Dennis and Jake Jacobs. Casket bearers at Eagle’s Nest at Sun Valley Lake included Steve Adams, Calvin Adams, Jim Hull, Paul McKinney, Gerald Palmer and Bill Bailey.
Honorary pall bearers at Ankeny Church of Christ were Jim Crouse, Pat Wells and Vern Lister. Honorary pall bearers at Eagle’s Nest at Sun Valley Lake were Kelly Richards, Charles Richards, Wayne Hoover, Maurie Goode and Clint Swan.
Burial was at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
