Michael Dennis

Michael David Dennis, Sr. (Brother Mike), 79, left this life and entered eternal life with his Lord and Savior on April 3, 2020 after a series of illnesses.

Mike was born on October 14, 1940, in McAllen, TX to Harold Ivan and Lera Elizabeth (Faught) Dennis.  He attended schools in San Benito, Alice, TX and Peacock Military Academy.  He graduated from W. B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi in 1959. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force, spending the next 8 ½ years in the military.

Mike married Alice Lenice Hughes of Sinton, Texas on November 23, 1968, in Corpus Christi, Texas.  He was employed at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station as an avionics technician for helicopter repair.  Lenice taught school for the Gregory-Portland ISD.  In 1972, they moved to Lubbock, Texas where Mike was a ministerial student at Sunset International Bible Institute.  After graduating, Mike ministered to congregations in Big Spring, TX; Show Low, AZ; Cherokee, TX; Rotan, TX; Ballinger, Ackerly and again in Big Spring.  After their retirement, they moved back to Rotan, a community dear to their hearts.  He then served the Church of Christ in Rotan as a Bible teacher, fill-in speaker and elder.  Mike loved helping people fix things and always had a stash of parts he thought people might need.  He delighted in giving and brought gladness and peace to all he met (James 3:18). He kept a big bag of Smarties or stickers to give to children at church.  He dearly loved his family and especially delighted in his grandchildren.  He brought gladness and peace to all he met.

Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Maude Hinkley Dennis, Roy and Henrietta Faught; his parents Harold Ivan and Lera Elizabeth Faught Dennis, step-mother Gladys Thorp Dennis; his first wife Ellen Joyce Armstrong Dennis; step-sister Sylvia Thorp Humble; and brothers-in-law Ollie O. Barrier and Tom Colley.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Lenice Hughes Dennis, daughter Joy Lynn Dennis; sons, Michael David Dennis, Jr., Captain Richard D. Dennis (US Army) and wife Shannon, Dr. Allen Dennis and wife Amanda; grandchildren, Michael Emery and Patience Putaski (Stephen); Erin and Miah Dennis; Lydia, Josiah, Jonah, Lilly, Benjamin Bede, Mary and Ruby Rose Dennis; and Colin Dennis; Sisters Patricia Arnold (Tommy Arnold), Lisa Cook, Jenny Colley (Carol Douglass); brothers Charles Thorp (Laura) and Chris Miller; and brother in law Leonard Humble.  He is also remembered by nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, only a PRIVATE graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Even though the family cannot welcome you at the graveside service, they sincerely appreciate your thoughts and prayers. In an attempt to acknowledge the friends and family that Mike was blessed with in Rotan, his family requests your appearance in a parked parade style procession to officially send Mike on to his eternal resting place. The procession will drive past the Church of Christ allowing friends and family (safely within or near their vehicles) to be "received". The family will depart Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home in Rotan, TX at 1:40 p.m.

A private burial will be held at the Belvieu Cemetery in Rotan; Wes Eastman will officiate under the direction of Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home.  The family will host a celebration of life at the Rotan Church of Christ at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sunset International Bible Institute, 3723 34th St, Lubbock, TX 79410; Christian Service Center, 3185 N. 10th, Abilene TX 79603; and the Rotan Church of Christ.