Dennis William Dunlay

Dennis Dunlay, 84, was born in Osage, Iowa, and lived his formative years on a family farm near McIntire, Iowa.

His early education, K - 8, at the Bailey Country School revealed an extremely keen intellect. He passed through McIntire High School, Upper Iowa University, The University of Notre Dame (earning his Masters of Science), and PhD pursuit at Oklahoma State University. Following his graduation from Notre Dame, Dennis served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, after learning Spanish in 6 weeks, which he enjoyed being able to use and practice the rest of his life whenever the opportunity presented itself, most recently with his current next-door neighbor. 

Dennis can be described in his early years as talented, a challenge to his parents, and skilled as a carpenter and wood carver. He was a reliable worker with his father on the farm before heading to college and his adult journey. He was an extremely considerate big brother, an altar boy, an undersized (but tenacious) athlete, and President of his senior class. While at OSU, Dennis met his eventual spouse, Janice Dennis (yes, we all notice the irony). This union included the instant parenting of Jon and Mike, ages 11 and 9. The family moved to Huron, South Dakota, where Dennis served as a science professor specializing in Anatomy & Physiology at Huron College for several years, teaching nursing students. He eventually took a similar position at South Plains College in Levelland, near Lubbock, in Texas.

While in Huron, son Derin was born, completing the family.

Going full circle, Dennis and Jan returned to the Stillwater, OK area in semi-retirement. Once back in OK, Dennis worked for a series of employers, the latest being Car-Mart where he developed a new and supportive family. He held a deep love for all things OSU athletics-related, particularly the men's and women's basketball teams, football, baseball and softball (GO POKES!). He even, to the consternation of many die-hards, held a healthy respect and appreciation for those dirty Sooners down the road (he was a transplant, after all, so it's mostly forgiven). 

Dennis and Jan achieved 50 years of marriage in 2018, with several family members traveling to OK to join in the celebration. 

His remarkable, exceeding patience and generosity followed him all through his adulthood. He lived his life in service of others, always believing the risk of being taken advantage of was far outweighed by the the opportunity to make life better for another. He was widely beloved, making immediate positive impressions on virtually everyone with whom he made any contact, and his kindness will endure far beyond his time to directly provide it himself.

 

Dennis is survived by: Sons Jonathon Dennis and wife Sunny, Derin Dunlay and wife Kandi; Brother Jim Dunlay and wife Carol; Sisters-in-law Gayle Austin and Patti Wiley; Grandchildren Joshua Dennis, Chelsea, Travis, and Tiffany Dunlay, and Great-grandchild Gauge Mouton, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and great-nephews and -nieces. He was preceded in death by: Wife Janice; Son Michael Dunlay; and Parents Robert James Dunlay and Letha Louvina (Gooder) Dunlay.

Denny, you will be deeply missed, and though the world is dimmer without you, you continue to help provide it with light.