LeRoy D. "LDD" Dennis

1930 - 2010

Long time Alaska pioneer, loving husband and father LeRoy D. Dennis, known to friends as LDD, passed away on Sept. 4, 2010, at home, after a long battle with cancer.
LeRoy was born on Oct. 11, 1930, in Midland, S.D., to Henry Dennis and Hope (Baker) Dennis. He was one of 11 children.
On April 26, 1950, LeRoy joined the U.S. Army where he received the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, six Bronze Stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. He was in the 5th Cavalry Regiment and was wounded on Oct. 19, 1950. He was honorably discharged on April 25, 1953.
LeRoy came to Alaska on Jan. 1, 1960. He was on the first Cat train to open the oil fields in Prudhoe Bay on Good Friday, in March 1964, and was a part of many more Cat trains opening the Last Frontier to oil development. LeRoy has been recognized in several books including "Alaska: The Great Land," "Extreme Conditions," True Magazine and National Geographic.
He was honored in Anchorage in 1986 for his achievements, hard work and dedication to opening the North Slope. He was a member of the Operators Union Local 302, and retired from Prudhoe Bay in 1995. He worked on the Parks Highway, opening the road from Anchorage to Fairbanks and the Richardson Highway to Valdez during the pipeline days. He also designed and built ice roads on the North Slope.
He was the superintendent and foreman for Frontier Sand & Gravel, Frontier Transportation, Pioneer Oil Fields, Cold Weather Construction, Joe's Trucking, Anchorage Sand & Gravel, and several other jobs during the 50 years he was in Alaska. LeRoy and Barbara Dennis have been the owners of Midway Lodge in Salcha for the past 18 years.
LeRoy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Barbara; his sons, Allen Dennis, Jess Dennis and James Nehren; his daughters, Kathy Martin, Cheri McBride and Becky Symens; his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sisters, Olivia Perovich, Sadie Stickler and Judy Holt; and his brothers, Ivan (Snazz) Dennis, Lyle Dennis and Howard (Butch) Dennis.
A celebration of life will be held from 3-6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Midway Lodge in Salcha. LeRoy will be laid to rest at the national cemetery in Sturgis, S.D.
In lieu of flowers, cards can be sent to the family at 11191 Richardson Highway, Salcha, AK 99714.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.