Dennis Thayne Earl

Dennis Thayne Earl, born on January 11, 1945, passed away on March 18, 2026 in his home, with his beloved wife Susan at his side. Dennis, son of Lillian and Thayne Earl, was 81 years old.

Dennis loved three things more than anything else in the world: his family, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Susan. He also loved the outdoors - ATVing, scuba diving, nature photography, hunting and fishing were some of the activities he enjoyed most during his life.

In his early years, Dennis learned the value of hard work, an ethic he maintained throughout his life. As a boy, Dennis worked with his father at a family-owned service station, where he was an attendant and later a mechanic. In college, Dennis got up early in the mornings to refill vending machines. Among other jobs, Dennis was the Chief Financial Officer for Phoenix Baptist Hospital, St. Louis University, Methodist Hospital (Omaha, Nebraska), and Wishard Memorial Hospital (Indianapolis, IN). He also opened, owned and operated his own insurance business in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Dennis was the registrar for Mesa High School, and an enrollment specialist for Walden University. He was also the business manager for a group of twelve radiologists.

Dennis had three siblings - Gayla, Susan (not to be confused with his wife, also named Susan!) and Debra - and the love between them, as well as their parents, was an inspiration to many. Even decades later, Dennis would often shed a tear when he spoke of his mom and dad. He had a deep reverence for them and a fervent belief that they would one day be reunited in Heaven.

Dennis taught his children that education was crucial, and he led by example. After graduating from high school in Idaho Falls, Idaho, he attended Ricks College (1963-1964), and then received his Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Accounting from Brigham Young University in 1969. Later, he took night school classes while working full-time to obtain his Master’s Degree from Saint Louis University (1989).

Always taking his responsibilities seriously, Dennis served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1964-1966. His mission (the Eastern States Mission) included New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut. Dennis often liked to tell of an experience he had while on his mission - one night he heard a voice telling him to wake, and sit up in his bed. The voice was insistent, and he complied - and saw, in the dark, that there was someone in his apartment. Dennis, alarmed, called out “who’s there?” The person fled, and Dennis, still groggy, fell back asleep. In the morning, he saw that their front door was left open, and the memory of what had occurred came back to him. He realized, then, that his obedience to the prompting he received was what kept him from harm.

Other favorite responsibilities for the church included being the bishop for his ward in Carmel, Indiana, serving as a temple worker for many years, and being a nursery leader with his eternal companion, Susan.

Surviving family include his four children from previous marriages: Matthew (1968), Jeffrey (1971), Jonathan (1975), and Christine (1980). He and his wife, Susan, have thirty-three grandchildren between them, and nine great-grandchildren (with two more on the way!). He will be lovingly remembered by all of them, and his legacy will live on for generations to come.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at the Mesa Cemetery, at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at a nearby meetinghouse, 6655 East Preston, Mesa, AZ 85215.