David Dennis

Family-Placed Obituary

DENNIS, David C. 64, of Wilmington, OH, died 8:20 AM, Friday, Dec. 24, 2004 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He was born May 16, 1940 in Wilmington, OH, a son of the late Paul B. Dennis and Josephine Hale Dennis. He was CEO of Dave Dennis Chrysler Jeep Dodge Dealership in Beavercreek, OH. He first joined John Meyer Volkswagen Dealership in the 1960's. He became the first Volkswagen dealer in Wilmington in 1968 and was the youngest Volkswagen dealer in the industry. He was awarded the highest honors of excellence for 4 years in the Volkswagen Corporation. In the 1970's, he moved the dealership to Beavercreek and he purchased a Jeep franchise. In the early 1980's, he purchased a Mazda franchise. In 1998, he purchased Morningstar Chrysler Dodge in Fairborn. In 2004, he combined the dealership franchises, creating the first Alpha Store in Ohio, thus becoming the highest volume Chrysler Jeep Dodge Dealership in Ohio.. He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1958 and attended Miami University and Wilmington College. He was a U.S. Marine Veteran and a U.S. Air Force Reserve Veteran. He was an avid Boater, Outdoorsman and collector of antique cars and tractors. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Hieston Dennis at home; a son Jason (Nicole) Dennis of Bellbrook; a daughter Susan C. Dennis of Mason; two grandchildren Greer Dennis and Laurel Dennis. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Max H. Dennis and a sister Pauline North. Funeral Services will be Thursday, Dec. 30, 2604 at 1 PM at Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, 840 Timber Glen Dr., Wilmington, OH with Dr. G. David Hawley officiating. Burial will follow in Sugar Grove Cemetery, Wilmington. Visitation will be Wed., Dec. 29, 2004 6 to 9 PM at Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South St., Wilmington, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to Mayo Clinic Leukemia Foundation, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.