Jonah Dennis

Jonah Mark Dennis, age 16, died Thursday, January 21, 2021.  He was born in Santa Cruz, California on March 12, 2004 to Richard Dennis and Felicia Wilson Lee, joining two older siblings, Lydia and Josiah.  Following military orders, the family lived in San Angelo, TX, where sister Lily was added to the growing family, before transferring to Hawaii for several years.  After his parents divorced, Jonah and his siblings moved with their father to Rotan, Texas and his family grew again when they moved to Dallas, TX to join forces with his step mother, Shannon Collier Dennis and her two children, Emma and John.  Jonah’s brother, Bede, and sister, Mary, were born in Dallas.  While Richard was in seminary, the family lived with Shannon’s parents, John and Shirley Collier in Plano, TX, where the youngest, Ruby Rose joined Jonah’s family, rounding out the dynamic duo, the fantastic four, and the terrific three of the blended siblings into a full, busy, and loving household.  Jonah’s family subsequently moved to Corpus Christi, TX, Aransas Pass, TX, and Spring Branch, TX.  Beginning in 2018, Jonah and his biological siblings lived with their mother, Felicia, in Kirtland, New Mexico.

Jonah’s kindness, gentleness, sensitivity, and playful humor endeared him to all he met.  He was the family peacemaker and the family prankster. He would readily give up any possession to stop others from fighting, but he could stubbornly argue until the cows come home.  Jonah gave his best effort to all he did.  He was an excellent, well-rounded student and loved learning.  He loved legos as a boy and building model rockets with his grandfather; playing the cello and drums; and eating cereal Saturday mornings in a blanket on the couch.  Jonah was the chess champion of his elementary school.  He wrestled; played soccer and golf; and enjoyed swimming and fishing with his family.  Jonah wanted to become a priest, but also dreamed of becoming a pilot at the Air Force Academy.  Above all, Jonah loved his family, which was tragically fragmented in divorce.  Jonah was a light in this world and his passing left a hole that will only be filled in heaven.

Preceding Jonah in death are his grandfather, Mike Dennis, Sr., his grandmother, Shirley Collier, and still born siblings, Christopher Richard, Maple Margaret, and Roan Titus.

Surviving Jonah are his parents, CPT Richard and Shannon Dennis, Aaron and Felicia (Wilson) Lee; grandparents, Lenice Dennis, Dr. Jim and Deborah Wilson, John and Karen Collier, and Keith and Betsy Lee; siblings, Lydia, Josiah, Lily, Bede, Mary, and Ruby Dennis, John and Emmaline Dyer, Faith, Mari, Gabby, and Charles Lee; aunts and uncles, Joy Dennis, David Dennis, Dr. Allen and Amanda Dennis, Chris and Heather Carrol, Karl and Kimberly Erickson, and many cousins and friends will mourn his passing.

A funeral service will be held in Kirtland, New Mexico at 10:00am Thursday, January 28, 2021. Burial will be at Belvieu Cemetery in Rotan, Texas.  Visitation will be from 9:30am – 10:30am at Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home Chapel in Rotan on Saturday, January 30, 2021 with the graveside service to follow at 11:00am with Dr. Fr. Philip LeMasters officiating under the direction of Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Children’s Home of Lubbock in Jonah’s memory as Jonah would have wanted to help children of broken families.

www.childshome.org

P.O. Box 2824

Lubbock, TX 79408