John Denis Link

Denis Link believed in God first and family second, and he devoted his life to those priorities. He was known for his big heart and equally big hugs, his warm smile, and boisterous laugh. Denis was not impressed with money or social status, but in how a person treated their fellow human beings. He was an extroverted introvert, at times quiet and introspective but could also be the life of the party. John Denis Link was born September 4th, 1943, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He shared his life here on earth for 79 years before passing from complications from pneumonia on December 19, 2022.

Denis was the child of a Gas & Oil salesman, and his family moved around quite a bit when he was a young child. He was the youngest of three children and was most definitely the “baby” of his family. Denis lost his own father at the tender age of 9, which undoubtedly contributed to his focus on being such a good and present father to his own children. His dear mother Lucille Link remarried when Denis was 11 to C.A. “Tommy” Skrobarcek. Tommy was a settling presence for Denis (who could be a bit of a handful) and helped raise him during his teenage years. Denis was raised in the Catholic faith and attended Catholic schools. He graduated high school in 1962 from Corpus Christi College Academy where he was taught by Benedictine monks – an experience that had a profound effect on his life. He also formed life-long friendships while at the Academy.

Denis entered the United States Air Force in 1963 and served for 4 years. His time in the USAF provided him structure and discipline, as well as the opportunity for some once-in-a-lifetime experiences that he loved telling stories about. This was especially true of his time in Alaska. He was stationed at Eielson Airforce Base in Fairbanks and assisted in Anchorage during the Good Friday Earthquake on March 24, 1964. Due to his experience as an outdoorsman, he was sent to a remote fishing camp on the Bering Sea. It was here in the pristine Alaskan wilderness where he served as a fishing guide for Air Force generals on the Unalakleet River. Denis shared stories of salmon runs, encounters with wild animals, and witnessing the wonders of the aurora borealis and the midnight sun. During this time, he was also impacted by the tragedy of losing friends and fellow airmen in the Vietnam War.

Denis met Mary Ann, the love of his life, in June of 1970 at the Moravian Dance Hall in Corpus Christi, TX. While his good looks and charm were not lost on Mary Ann, she was warned of his reputation as a “ladies’ man” by his own best friend! Denis was used to having the attention of the ladies and was not accustomed to being ignored. Although they hit it off immediately, it wasn’t until the wedding of their respective best friends, Dennis & Dottie Reindl, that Denis won Mary Ann over, and they’ve been a pair ever since.

Denis and Mary Ann had a memorable wedding celebration on May 20, 1972. Their children, son J.D. and daughter Jessica, were born in 1973 and 1974, respectively. They spent their early married life in Corpus Christi before moving their young family to the Texas Hill Country in 1979. Fulfilling a dream of his, Denis went to work for Garner State Park in 1981 as a park ranger. While at Garner, Denis was commissioned as a state park peace officer and moved his family onto the state park. Some of his fondest memories shared with extended family were of holidays in the Hill Country and summer vacations on South Padre Island.

It was during this time the parish priest of St. Raymond’s Catholic Church in Leakey, TX, encouraged Denis to become an ordained deacon for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, TX. In 1983 Denis was accepted into the diaconate program and was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Flores in Uvalde, TX, in June of 1987. Deacon Denis served in the rural parishes of Leakey, Kerrville, Harper & Fredericksburg, TX. He was greatly loved by parishioners and assisted whenever and wherever he was needed. During his time at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerrville he attended his first ACTS Retreat in 1998 and became one of its biggest supporters.

After 20 years, Denis retired from state service in 2001, but as someone always looking for the next adventure, he became Executive Director of TECABOCA Retreat Center in Mountain Home, TX. Over the next 5 years Denis helped revitalize the sacred grounds of TECABOCA for young campers, as well as adults seeking spiritual retreat. Denis was proud of what he helped accomplish at TECABOCA, and workwise he considered his years there to be his most fulfilling.

Denis and Mary Ann loved the rural life in the Texas Hill Country but gave it all up for the big city of Dallas when their daughter Jessica had twins, Marni and Ansel, in 2015. Denis and Mary Ann started out going by the German Opa and Oma, but the twins affectionately renamed them Opi and Omi. Just as with his own children and numerous nieces and nephews, Opi loved nothing more than to relentlessly tease and be silly with his grandkids. He loved to puff out his cheeks in his “Opi face” and send them into giggles with his Donald Duck impressions.

Denis was a true jack-of-all-trades and man of many talents. He was constantly seeking knowledge and new skills, and once he mastered a new interest, moved on to the next thing. Denis was a handyman and could seemingly fix anything around the house. Some of his numerous temporary hobbies over the years included stone masonry, making yogurt and bread-baking, refinishing furniture, Native American beadwork, home-brewing beer, and raising a variety of farm animals. We just learned at Christmas last year, as he was helping his granddaughter Marni learn to roller skate, that he took roller-dancing classes in his youth! Denis played the tuba in marching band in high school, and his family remembers him playing and singing Johnny Cash on guitar - he had a beautiful singing voice. He was a volunteer firefighter and volunteer EMT. He shared his love of gardening and dancing (he was a great country & western and polka dancer!) with his wife Mary Ann and passed these passions on to their daughter Jessica.

Denis was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He was patient and humble and had a kind and gentle soul. Like all of us humans, he had his imperfections (even though his mother would argue he was perfect). For instance, he could be stubborn as a mule and most definitely had to mature into being humble. Denis laughed and prayed and danced his way through life. He greatly enjoyed daily naps, making lists and eating all the sweets. He was a huge jokester (some might say trouble-maker) and all who knew him expect that he’s in heaven making mischief and spreading cheer with his brother Val. Denis was a wonderful example of a truly good and honorable man. He loved deeply, was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.

Denis is preceded in death by his parents: father Valentine John Link, Jr., mother Lucille Link Skrobarcek and step-father Tommy Skrobarcek; brother Val Link, brother-in-law Johnny Puckett and sister-in-law Ginger Merritt.

Denis is survived by his wife of 50 years Mary Ann Link; daughter Jessica Link-Malcolm and twin grandchildren Marni & Ansel Malcolm; son JD Link and family; sister Mary Lu Puckett; sister-in-law Sharon Link; sister-in-law Nancy Oliver Moffett; brother-in law Doug Bedingfield & wife Kathleen; brother-in-law Jerry Merritt; brother of his heart Deacon Sonny Kaufhold and his wife Lilia; along with numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held for Deacon Denis on Friday January 13, 2023, at 10am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6306 Kenwood Ave, Dallas, TX 75214.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial donation to the Autoimmune Association (https://autoimmune.org/donate/), as Denis and many family members lived/live with autoimmune disorders, the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/), as so many of us have lost loved ones to this disease, or to another charity that is close to your heart. We’d like to mention that Denis was an organ donor, and even though his organs were a little long in the tooth for a second user, he would be pleased to know his tissues were donated to help others heal.

Please share your fond memories of Denis.