Dennis Paul Carden

Dennis Paul Carden, aged 79, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Piedmont Atlanta Hospital after bravely battling lung cancer. He was surrounded by the love of his family in his final moments.
Dennis Carden was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was born on July 31, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, to the late Thomas Paul Carden and Margaret "Betty" Carden (Mahoney). He was a doting brother to Kelly Carden, Patrick Carden, and Penny McIlroy (Carden), all of whom preceded him in death.
Dennis was a graduate of Hawthorne High School, class of 1963. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. His service to his country was a significant part of his identity, and he remained an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, where he found support among his fellow veterans. After returning from his time in the Army, Dennis transitioned into a career in construction. He took great pride in the projects he completed and valued the friendships he formed in the industry. His time working in construction fostered his lifelong passion for woodworking, which he continued until the end.
Dennis was a passionate Dodgers fan and an avid collector of model cars. He enjoyed soaking up the sun at the beach and could often be found watching his favorite television shows, M*A*S*H and Little House on the Prairie. Dennis shared his love of these shows with his daughter and grandchildren.
He is survived by his daughter, Karrie Carden Nelson, his son-in-law Andrew Nelson, and his grandchildren, Megan Nelson, Natalie Nelson, and Walter Nelson. Dennis was lovingly called "Poppa" by his grandchildren who have many happy and loving memories together. Their time together was filled with laughter including many early weekend mornings with him while their parents slept, either watching reruns of M*A*S*H together or watching his grandchildren play some very competitive rounds of Wii Sports. Dennis also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, all of whom cherished their time with their beloved uncle.
The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and Vitas Healthcare for the kindness and care they provided during Dennis's illness and final moments. Their support allowed him to face his battle with dignity and grace.
In honor of Dennis's legacy, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America, a cause he deeply cared about, at https://vva.org/.