Dennis Eugene McIntyre

Dennis Eugene McIntyre was born Aug. 18, 1954, in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in Ruskin Heights, where his parents rebuilt after the devastating tornado in May 1957. Childhood summers were spent playing baseball and kickball in the street, riding bikes, climbing trees, and playing hide and seek outside in the evening. Favorite game indoors was playing army with lots of little green plastic army men and bean bags sewn by Mom. Dennis earned Eagle Scout through Troop 291, and performed Native American dances in tribal attire throughout the community. He was a hard-way Warrior in the Tribe of Mic ‘O Say, earned at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. While at Ruskin High School, Dennis and his classmates had to go to school in split shifts because there were so many baby boomers. He participated in DECA and was a percussionist with the Ruskin Golden Eagle Band, graduating in 1972. His first car was a black, 1957 Pontiac convertible. He volunteered to drive his older sister back to college in it one year–probably hoping to meet a female coed!

Dennis learned watercraft and sailing at Bartle, which went on to become a lifelong passion. In his 20s and early 30s, Dennis cruised the Lake of the Ozarks in his speed boat. He also ventured onto the high seas, where he often crewed 60 foot sailboats in the Caribbean Ocean. At Christmas, adult family members would each write a list of three items they wanted in a gift exchange; every year Dennis put one thing–a 60 foot sailboat (which was always above the dollar limit; one time he did receive a sailboat Christmas ornament though)! His affinity for the partying, laid back Island vibe was intertwined with his favorite musical artist, Jimmy Buffet.

On Valentine’s Day, 1993, Dennis married the love of his life, Dianna Blanchard. They custom designed a new home in Gladstone, completed in 1994, where they raised Chris. Dennis led Chris down the trail to Eagle Scout in Troop 354. Dennis also earned the original Wood Badge as an adult leader, and volunteered as a Scout district commissioner. When Chris was a teenager, Dennis and he totally rebuilt a 1951 Ford pickup. He and Dianna went on a memorable trip to Europe, enjoyed entertaining family at birthdays and holidays, and barbecuing on the deck.

Dennis worked for 40 years as a truck salesman/sales manager at Midway Ford. He sold mostly big trucks–tractor trailers, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and the like--all across the country. Dennis set many sales records and was well known at trade shows nationwide. He loved to golf and was in numerous tournaments with people in the industry.

A lifelong lover of pets, Dennis grew up with an Australian sheepdog, Stretch, and as a young man, had a Saint Bernard named Bernie. Dennis was closest to his family’s pet, Buddy. The two of them would jump in Dennis’s Ford F-150 on Saturday mornings and go to McDonald’s drive through, where Buddy always “ordered” a sausage biscuit. In his later years, Dennis had two cats, Callie and Midnight.

Dennis was very charming, sometimes stubborn, but could also be mischievously ornery! When young, Dennis taught his kid sister how to climb trees and carved her initials (DLM) into a large oak in the family’s backyard. When he wanted her to come play some game, if she refused, he would threaten to turn her L into his middle initial of E–it always worked! Dennis liked to tease and had a good sense of humor. While watching Chiefs football games, if the team made a spectacular play, Dennis would claim that he had called the coach and told him to run that play (Not)!

Dennis spent his last few months at home under the care of a great hospice team. He was well loved and will be sorely missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dianna, and his parents Edward Elmer McIntyre and Virginia Annabelle (Edwards) McIntyre.

Survivors include his son, Chris Blanchard (Jessi); sisters, Sandra Russell (Jerry), and Diane McIntyre Wilber; grandchildren, Anngelee Blanchard and Christopher Blanchard; nephews Josh Russell (Julie), Gabe Russell (Jennifer), Michael Wilber (Nicole) and Bryan Wilber; and great nieces and nephews, Mackenzie Russell, Miles Russell, and Jude Wilber.

A visitation for Dennis will be held Wednesday, December 13th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home (7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133). A graveside service for Dennis will be held Thursday, December 14th at 11:00 AM at Floral Hills Cemetery (Same address) and guests are invited to meet at the funeral home at 10:50 AM to process together to the graveside.