Byron Dennis || Obituary

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Byron Dennis 82, of Sumner, passed away Monday, January 24, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home Thursday, Jan. 27, at 2:00 pm with Duane Hamil and Steven Kelley officiating. Family burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. There will not be a formal visitation and the family will be at the home of Rhonda Mallory at other times.

Byron was born December 26, 1939, the son of William “Brooks” Dennis and Mary Ruth Armstrong Dennis. He was married to Ruth Garrett from 1959 until her death in 2016. He later married Barbara A. Brannan on October 13, 2018, in Sumner. Byron operated Byron Dennis Trucking Co. from 1959 until 1969, was a firefighter with the Paris Fire Department from 1969 until 1975, he drove a truck from 1975 until 2007 for Earth Grains and Sara Lee Companies for 32 years where he was awarded the one million miles safe driving record.  He retired in 2007 to start raising cattle and custom hay bailing and completely retired in 2015 to travel in his motor home that the kids named the “Kenney Chesney Bus.” He was a member of the Cowboy Church in the Camp.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Ruth.

He is survived by his wife Barbara; children Rhonda Mallory and husband F.D.; Randy Dennis, Carla Beers and husband Brandon; grandchildren Zach Michael (Cheryl), Tyler Michael (Haley), Melody Williams (James), Robin Mallory, Randa Van Noord (Wade), Brooks Dennis; great-grandchildren Blayden, Paxton, Tyler-Kate, Miller Michael, Addy and Ava Michael, Shiola Johnson, Haleigh and Elijah Van Noord and Cora Williams. Also survived by sisters, Imogene Taack, Mary Kay Cooper along with one niece Elesha Martin and one nephew Terry Cooper.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Bolton, Steven Kelley, Wayne Streety, Ronald Pollard, Ronnie Bass, and Bobby Slagle.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Cowboy Church in the Camp.

Online condolences may be made at www.fry-gibbs.com.