Dennis L. Null

1945 - 2024

MAYFIELD - Dennis Null, a prominent Mayfield-Graves County attorney, was joyfully received in heaven on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. After running 18 marathons in his life, this was his last. It may have been the most difficult, but his reward was worth the run. He attended Farmington Baptist Church.

Dennis was born on Oct. 5, 1945, in Covington, Virgina, to Virginia Shawver Null and Harry Alfred Null. His father, who was deployed in combat in the European Theatre of WWII, received a telegram simply stating, "Son born. All well and safe."

Dennis was a graduate of Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia, the University of Richmond, and Mercer Law School. He came to Kentucky to work for the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. Admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1972, he moved to Mayfield and went into private practice with Weisenberger & Hubbard. He was the attorney of record for the United Steelworkers for over 50 years. Dennis was committed to whatever he did and served this region well. He taught business law for Mid-Continent Bible College and labor law for the University of Kentucky. He was the Mayfield city attorney; an assistant commonwealth attorney; a Graves County district judge; Fulton district judge; a special judge for Fulton district court; and special judge for the McCracken district court. Later he established his own practice which was listed in Martindale-Hubbard Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Dennis ran 28 marathons and was a member of the Mayfield Rotary Club for over 50 years. He was a member of the Kentucky Bar Association; the Kentucky Trial Lawyers Association; and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Dennis loved all people and no matter their standing or beliefs, he firmly believed every person had the intrinsic right to be heard. As a attorney for over 50 years, he walked that belief into action. He loved to quote Shakespeare, especially, "To thine ownself be true" which he put into practice every day of his life. He honestly believed the only road worth travelling was the high road-and that is certainly the one he travelled. Dennis had great compassion for the common man and was respectful and tolerant of many viewpoints. He was generous with praise for the keen intellect and good intentions of those with whom he disagreed. Always a Southern gentleman, he was a prime example of you can take the boy out of Virginia, but you can't take the Virginia out of the boy!

Fiercely intelligent; fiercely loyal; and undeniably humorous, Dennis was a great attorney, a great friend, a great dad, a great husband, and a delightful Gramps. He will be fiercely, undeniably, and greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Null; his sons, Richard Null of Murray, Dennis (Tara) Null Jr. of Mayfield, and John Y. Null, all of Benton; daughter, Denise (Jordan) Thompson, of Mayfield; his stepdaughters, Kelli Krill (David) Elliott, and Katie Krill of Mayfield; grandchildren, Richard A. Null, Sam Leath, Jack Leath, Virginia "Jenna" Leath, Megan Null, Molly Null, Owen Null, Karl Elliott, Ian Elliott, Jude Elliott, and Isaac Krill; and his siblings, Pam (Tom) Elliott, Patty Schoenhair, and Shelly (Angela) Null.

In addition to his parents, Dennis was predeceased by one brother, Harry Null.

Funeral services for Dennis will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Brown Funeral Home in Mayfield, with Ben Stratton officiating. Visitation is Friday, Sept. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. and from 10 a.m. Saturday until the funeral hour. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be the Honorable Kevin Bishop, Graves circuit judge, Dennis Null, Jr., John Y. Null, David Elliott, Jim Paitsel, and Gray Robbins. Honorary pallbearers are Richard Sinclair and John Wynn and the members of the Graves County Bar Association.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Graves County Bar Association, in memory of Dennis L. Null, and mailed to Melinda Ormsby, Treasurer, Graves County Bar Association, P.O. Box 888, Mayfield, KY 42066. The donations will be used, per Dennis' wishes, to create a plaque to honor all former Graves County Judges in the new Graves County Court Facility. Friends may also donate to Alive Hospice, in memory of Dennis L. Null, 718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203, or the Mayfield Rotary Club.