Devere T. Dennis

Salina, Utah - Our beloved father and grandfather, DeVere Thomas Dennis, passed away Friday, February 6, in Salina, Utah, at the ripe old age of 95, twenty-five years short of his goal of 120. DeVere was born August 5, 1913, in Mountain Home, Utah, the son of Hyrum James Dennis and Fannie Charlotte Day. He married Emma Lovina Drollinger on May 10, 1935, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 15, 1954. As a young adult and into his early married life, DeVere excelled at pitching baseball and gained the nickname “Lefty”. Much to his wife’s chagrin, he pitched a game the day after their first child, Alan, was born. He ran a cream route while living in the Uintah Basin and eventually had his own thriving cream business in Vernal. It was during this time that their 2nd son, Ronald, was born. Emma had quite a challenge trying to nurse him while managing the business when her husband was away on his cream routes. She would have to lay the baby down whenever customers came in to have their cream tested. World War II, however, caused the demand for cream to dry up. At his brother, Verland’s, suggestion, DeVere moved his family to Portland, Oregon, from 1943-45, where he worked as an electrical foreman in the shipyards. He and Emma worked at two different shipyards on two different shifts so they could take turns looking after their two little sons. Following WWII he tried his hand in truck driving and later in housing construction. In 1950 the family relocated in Stockton, California, where he sold real estate and eventually became a broker, a profession he followed until his retirement. While residing there during 1954, 14 years after the birth of their 2nd son, their long-awaited daughter, Ann Rochelle, was born. From 1966 to 1972 DeVere presided over the San Andreas, California, Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1972 he and Emma moved back to Utah, living in Provo, Spanish Fork, St. George, and finally in Salina. For many years he was an avid golfer and claimed a total of 12 holes-in-one during his golfing days, having golfed his “age” several times. He also loved to spend time in his workshop where he created numerous tables, clocks, knickknack shelves, and other objects out of wood. He was known for his honesty and his sense of humor, and he loved to “kid around” with anyone he met. DeVere was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 71 years, his brothers Elvin Dennis, Ervin Dennis, Verland Stott, Delmer Stott, and Leland Stott. He is survived by his three children, Alan (Hope), Ron (Grace Marie), and Rochelle (Paul) Erickson, 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Arva Jones, Willard Stott, Lyle Stott, Arlo Stott, LaVola Browning, and Lawrence Stott. Family members offer their heartfelt thanks to Hospice workers and volunteers for their service and many kindnesses to DeVere over the past several weeks during his battle with lymphoma. Because of them, he was blessed with his wish of spending the remainder of his days at home. We also appreciate the kindness and concern of friends and members of the community. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the LDS meetinghouse in Salina on 87 South and 100 East. The viewing will be at the Springer Turner Funeral Home in Salina at 150 South Main Street from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, February 10, 2009, and the following day from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Salina Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.