Frank Isaac Dennis

Ole’ Dad was born December 2, 1925 in Carrollton, MO, to Charles and Ruth Dennis. Frank had one brother, Charles James, and one sister, Louise May. Frank attended Carrollton High School where he lettered two years in football and served as Captain of the Trojan’s his senior year. He was a member of the Student Council and served as Business Manager of the school for a year.

Ole’ Dad loved his country and enlisted in the Army Air Forces. He served in the Southwest Pacific during World War II as a belly gunner in a B-24. He always saluted the flag.

1946 was a busy year for Frank. He began his studies at Missouri Valley College and married Norma Claudine Fenner. While at Missouri Valley College, Frank served both as Senior Class Representative on the Student Senate and was President of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity.

After graduating from Missouri Valley College in 1949, Ole’ Dad began his life long career with Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical moving and growing his family from St. Louis, MO, to Morris Plains, NJ, to City of Commerce, CA, Anaheim, CA and closed out his career as Manager of Warner Lambert’s Southwest Distribution Center in Grand Prairie, Texas upon retirement in 1986. Norma Dennis passed shortly after his retirement.

Ole’ Dad spent his retirement years doing consulting work, building and enjoying his lake house, “Casa de los Suenos” at Richland Chambers Reservoir and volunteering with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He also worked part time with his daughters’ landscape company, “Dennis Enterprises” serving as office manager. Ole’ Dad was fortunate to spend countless years of joy with his very dear companion JoAnne Giammarco until their respective illnesses changed their living environments.

Ole’Dad was fortunate to have Shannon Giammarco as his primary & very loving caregiver for over five years, allowing him to remain in his home on Westwood Dr. During this time, Ole’ Dad was able to Basque in the sunshine, sip his morning coffee, enjoy daily home cooked meals and sleep in his own bed!

Ole’ Dad spent the last year as a resident at Grace Presbyterian Village’s Dementia Care Unit in Dallas, TX. Ole’ Dad had an endearing capacity to show empathy toward others. His charge nurse shared that she would send anyone having a bad day to go sit with Frank and they would soon feel better. Further, he was given the job of working with the medication aide in the evenings where he would push the medication cart from room to room until each resident received their medication. Ole’ Dad enjoyed a banner last few weeks, spending Thanksgiving with the family on Bonnywood Lane, attending a Grace sponsored field trip eating pizza, touring holiday lights and enjoying hot chocolate at a community center. He spent his 89th birthday dinner with Peg, Lorri and Shelly at the Outback Steakhouse, after requesting a steak over pancakes! He enjoyed a tray of “Pecan Puff” baked especially for him by Shelly; laughing as powdered sugar ended up everywhere!

The afternoon prior to his passing, Ole’ Dad held Lorri’s hand and let her know that he was ‘‘going to be alright.” Ole’ Dad passed quietly on the morning of December 13, 2014.

Frank was proceeded in death by wife Norma Claudine and daughter Deborah Lynn Cervantes Hill.

Frank is survived by Deborah’s son Matthew Isaac Cervantes, his wife Christie Renee Cervantes, and daughter Camryn Kaleigh of Sacramento, CA; Deborah’s daughter Shelly Louis Cervantes and her partner Carlos Joseph Perez of Dallas, TX.

Son Frank Charles Dennis, his wife Melinda Lane Dennis of Brighton, CO; their daughters Corwyn Lynn Moss, husband Terry Erwin Moss; and their daughter Hailey Elizabeth and son Isaac Christian of Douglas, WY. Brandyn Erin Dennis, her fiance’, Jody Jenson, Brandyn’s sons Brennan James Miller, Brock Donovan Stricklett, Bryce Dennis Stricklett; and daughter Hannah Faith Stricklett of Brighton, CO. Daughter Andryn Dawn and son Elijah Vincent of Federal Heights, CO; daughter Daniel Lane Hamilton, husband Jeremy Lee Hamilton, and their sons Chance Maddox and Grant Averick of Bend, OR.

Daughter Claudia Lorraine “Lorri” Dennis and life partner Peggy Brown Stephenson of Dallas, TX and son Eric Adam Stephenson and wife Alba Rubio Zurera Stephenson of Brooklyn, NY.

Son Todd Allen Dennis, his wife Melanie Jan Dennis of Mansfield, TX; daughter Ashton Jan Marshall and husband Matthew Kendal Marshall of The Woodlands, TX; daughter Kaleigh Justine Dennis and fiance’ Evan Blake McMordie of Dallas, TX; son Landon Todd Dennis of Mansfield, TX.

Frank is also survived by the loving extended family of Jo Anne Giammarco of Pantego, TX; her daughters Nancy Anne of Grand Prairie, TX, MaryAnne of Pantego, TX; son Peter Joseph Giammarco, wife Shannon Lee Giammarco, sons Peter Joseph, Jr. and Corey Bryce of Arlington, TX and daughter Lauren Paige of New York, NY.