Dennis Gist Tolbert

Dennis Gist Tolbert, 81, of Amarillo, TX passed away November 30, 2025.

Memorial service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount, with the Rev. Jim Watkins officiating. Burial will be private in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are made by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Dennis was born February 22, 1944 in Amarillo, TX to William “Bill” Tolbert and Lucille Bruce. He was raised in Vega, TX and graduated from Vega High School in 1961 and in 1965 from Texas Technical College in Lubbock, TX with a bachelor’s degree in English.

He married Sandra Priess on May 17, 1969, in Vega. Dennis and Sandra moved to Virginia Beach, VA while he served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant with Assault Craft Unit Two. After his stint in the Navy, they returned to Texas where Dennis became an English teacher in Vega for a brief time. He later joined the Texas Workforce Commission where he worked for many years as a Tax Examiner.

Dennis was a cherished friend to many and, above all, a gifted storyteller who loved sharing memories of the wonderful times he spent with family and friends throughout the years. He also enjoyed traveling and never passed up the chance for a trip to the casino.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sandra, his mother Lucille and his father Bill, his brother William (“Billy”) Tolbert, Jr., and his nephew Bruce Tolbert.

Survivors include his daughter, Susan Thate and husband Trent of Amarillo, TX; his brother Sidney Tolbert of Littleton, CO; his brother Allan Tolbert and wife Jeanette of Belton, TX; two grandchildren Mason Thate and wife Emma of Leander, TX; and Lindsay Thate of Fort Collins, CO; three great-grandchildren Emmett, Bernadette “Birdie”, and Malcolm of Leander, TX; nephew Kenneth Tolbert and wife Christina of Littleton, CO; niece Christine Tolbert of Littleton, CO; niece Kim Pimento of Harker Heights TX; and niece Amy Pruett of Kerrville, TX.

The family suggests memorials to a favorite charity.