Dennis Robert Toney

 

Dennis Robert Toney, 83, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away on September 17, 2023. Born on August 24, 1940, in Prosperity, West Virginia, Dennis was a Mason for over 49 years, a Vietnam veteran, and a loving husband, parent, and grandfather. He was known for his strong will, stubbornness, enormous heart, and wonderful sense of humor. Dennis was generous, loyal, and brave, and carried himself with dignity and strength until the end. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

 

Dennis is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Toney, his daughter Tania E. Toney-Parker, Ph.D., and son-in-law Kent Parker. He is also survived by his son Dennis R. Toney, Jr., JD, and daughter-in-law Laura Toney, as well as his grandchildren Austen Parker, Maddison Parker, Daniel Toney, Rachael Toney, Tess Parker, and Emma Toney. Additionally, he is survived by his stepdaughter Kathryn Michalo, stepson-in-law Rick Michalo, and Kathryn's children Vaughn Cockayne and Nicholas Cockayne.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father Dewey Marshall Toney, mother Ida Faye Williams Toney, 8 brothers, Dewey, Elsworth, Ira, Randy, Thomas, Ernest, Jimmy, Williard, and 4 sisters, Ida, Scarlet, Eleanor and Mary.

After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, Dennis earned an Associates Degree from Trident Technical College and Bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University. Dennis then served in the US Air Force as NCO and was stationed in England and served in Vietnam during the TET Offensive from 1966-67. For his service, Dennis received a Campaign Medal, Unit Outstanding Citation Award, and Accommodation Award.  Dennis then was a Welding Process and Nuclear certified Welding Engineer. During his lifetime, Dennis taught welding and was a Department Head at Trident Technical College, a civilian employee for the Naval Shipyard and worked on the space shuttle program while employed at Bell Aerospace Textron. He later worked as a civilian for the Navy for 8 years, serving as a GS-12 and nuclear qualified welding engineer. He was involved in building procedures for submarines and destroyers in the US, Scotland, and Taiwan.

Dennis worshipped at Maynor Freewill Baptist Church, where he found solace and community.

In his free time, Dennis enjoyed fishing, RV camping, guitar, numismatist, bowling, metal detecting, antique car restoration, and was an active member of the Masons, Scottish Rite, Shriners and VFW.

Services for Dennis will be held at Calfee Funeral Home, located at 800 S. Oakwood Avenue, Beckley, West Virginia 25801. A viewing will take place on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 6-8 pm, followed by the funeral on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 10 am. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America (vva.org 899-435-783) or to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org).