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Dennis Scharf Obituary

Dennis Dean Scharf

November 6, 1944 - January 19, 2013

SALEM - Born to Wm Harry and Ella Mae Scharf.

Dennis lived in Salem all his life except for a short time when he lived in California.

Dennis was a survivor of the Oregon Museum Tavern Shooting May 7, 1981 which left him a quadriplegic.

After months in rehab he came back to Salem. His life changed forever from being independent and carefree, to a constant uphill climb. With the love and help from family and friends Dennis survived 31 ½ years.

Dennis had a passion for Drag racing, Sand racing, Boat drags, and old cars.

Dennis is proceeded in death by his parents and his great nephew, Dusty.

Dennis is survived by son, KC, daughter, Toni Scharf, stepdaughter, Sheri Floyd. Brothers, Harry (Karan), and Rodger (Sandy). Nieces, Kim, Shelly, Danielle, and Shawna. 4 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, 8 great nieces and nephews.

Services will be Friday, January 25 at 2 pm at Virgil T. Golden, 605 Commercial St SE, Salem, Oregon.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Statesman Journal on Jan. 23, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Scharf

19 Entries

May 12, 2021

We spoke many years ago. You are a relative of mine and we lost track of each other... RIP. I am seeing this for the first time.

Wade McGilvra

January 27, 2013

Dennis, Though we both survived the shooting that night, we were forced to live in its aftermath.

I am thankful that your family got to be with you for another 31 years.

I happened across your obituary today and walked outside and had a good cry in the rain. I then called Brenda to offer my condolences to her and your family.

I know that you are now free of that wheelchair and if heaven has a drag racing strip I'm sure your right in the middle of it. Godspeed my friend…

Sherri Floyd

January 25, 2013

What can one say regarding the 32 years of care that Brenda gave to Dennis?! In my focus on Dennis and how his life touched mine, I neglected to say how much I respect and admire Brenda. She was 20 yrs old...she stayed for 32 yrs...she gave her best. How many would do that?! Could I?! Could you?! It amazes me.
Brenda you are a class act and a kind soul. KC, you are blessed to have such a loving Mom as I'm sure you know!
I pray for your aching hearts and I hope the love and compassion of others will bring you some measure of comfort.
May God bless you and keep you and may he give you the desires of your hearts.
With love,
Sherri

January 25, 2013

Dennis~ I'm sure you had no idea how many people you inspired. You had your life changed forever, yet you had such courage.
When I think of Dennis, my mind trails to a picture of Dennis & Brenda. If Dennis was there, Brenda was only a few feet away. Brenda, you were so dedicated to Dennis and his care. He was very blessed to have you in his life for all of these years.
Our prayers go out to the Scharf family during this difficult time.
The Blake Family

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Gary Hodges

January 25, 2013

I'm so sorry to hear of Dennis passing.
A great guy, he will be missed.
Long time friend, Gary Hodges

The McKinleyFamily

January 24, 2013

Wanted to light a candle in Denny's memory,and let the family know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We really wished we could be there with all of you as Denny is remembered on Friday.

Danielle Scharf-Owens

January 24, 2013

For most people who know me, know that on May 7, 1981. The Scharf family was forever changed. My uncle Dennis was shot at the Oregon Museum Tavern and left a quadriplegic. On January 19, 2013 at 5am he lost his fight to pneumonia, due to compilations due to being a quadriplegic. Though i myself am not a very religious person. It gives me great peace knowing that my uncle Dennis is free. Free to walk again, free to use his arms again. He is no longer a prisoner to that damn wheelchair. It is still hard for me to believe he is gone. To my cousin Kc Kc Scharf as hard as these words are for me to say, you have become a very loving and caring man. Day in and day out after long hrs at work. You were there at the hospital to be a support for your mom and dad. Even on the last day of your dads life. After working a long hard day. You refused to leave your mom and dads side. To see the pain in your eyes and hear it in your voice, killed me to know that there wasn't anything i could do to help you with all the pain. Even though you are a grown man now. I still see you as my little buddy. Who use to come stay with me and just hang out. I would always do what i could to protect you from anything. This one time i was helpless to protect you. Which brings me to Brenda Purdum. I can only speak for myself. There is not enough Thank you, gratitude and appropriation for all the years of wonderful care you gave to my uncle. I honestly believe he would not have survived as many years as he did, if it had not been for you. You sacrificed your life to care for a man as we all know was not the easiest to get along with alot of the time. I'm sure there were days you would have just wanted to walk away, but you stuck it out with him, until his very last breath. For that i am eternally grateful and will always love you. I am very proud to call the 2 of you family. Tomorrow Friday January 25th, we his family and friends will say our final goodbyes at 2pm. Uncle Dennis you will be forever loved and never forgotten. I love you, love your niece Danielle.

Kim Scharf Welty

January 24, 2013

To my Uncle Dennis,
It is with much sadness and heartache that I have to say "Good-Bye" to you. You were such an inspiration to me and so many others. I so admired your strength and courage along with your ability to find something positive in everything. You were a fighter and never gave up even with all the challenges life dealt you.
I have to smile when I think back to the last conversation we had on New Years Day at Sylvia's 100th Birthday party - During our conversation, In your Dennis way, you reminded me that I needed to get out to the house more often to visit (you were right)and, with that great big smile of yours you said "Well, it's not like I can just hop in the car and drive over to see you". That's my Uncle Dennis!! Boy how I love that great big smile and I am so greatful for that last conversation. How lucky I am to have had you in my life. Thank you for being such an amazing uncle!
RIP Uncle Dennis. Be free!! I will miss you so much. I love you!!

Billie Kohler

January 24, 2013

Dennis was my brother-in-law many years ago, and the father of my niece, Toni Scharf. I was the pesky 13 year old sister-in-law who loved to go for rides in his 1957 yellow Chevy! We lived in Santa Clara at the same time (many years ago) and he tried to teach me to swim in the pool at the complex him and Linda lived...to no avail, oh I can dog paddle around a pool, but that is about it!

Sherry Haines (Rabold)

January 23, 2013

I remember Dennis, I hung out at the Oregon Museum all the time. I was supposed to go that night but didn't have a babysitter so I stayed home. Another friend lost his brother that night. It was a tragic event that changed all of us. Rest in Peace Dennis.

Shelly Scharf-Kesterson

January 23, 2013

I was there beside you, crying, I wasn't ready to say goodbye, because my heart is breaking. I held you hand and said I love you. I know you are pain free now. I have no regrets and I will cheerish all the time I had with you and all the great memories you have given me. Rest in Peace Uncle Dennis, I will ALWAYS Love you.

Ashlee Welty

January 23, 2013

Dennis is my Great Uncle, my family and I are deeply saddened with our loss of someone so special and close to our hearts. My brother and I wrote some entrys on facebook when we found out about the loss.
Ashlee Welty- "Never will I ever understand death. I know it's a phase of the life span but I will always continue to believe that it's the most frustrating, painful, upsetting thing. Seeing people I genuinely care for hurt, is not okay."
Austin Welty replied with- "We're born, we live, we die...not necessarily in that order. Life is the most fragile, unstable, unpredictable thing there is. There's only one thing in life we can be sure of, and that is death. And thats a sad idea. But we are all going to die eventually, the goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."

You are forever in our hearts Dennis <3

Soni

January 23, 2013

I remember that night. Dennis was the first person on my mind when I heard of the shooting. The fact that he lived so long is testament to his spirit and courage. Godspeed, Dennis.

Toni Scharf

January 23, 2013

To the best dad in the world, although we didn't spend alot of time together I will cherish the times we did. You were always there for me when I needed you. You taught me to believe in myself.

Life gave you a lemon and you made lemonade out of it. Your strength and your courage has alwasys inspired me.

I will miss you dad, but I know your in a better place. And I know you will always be with me, watching me and keeping me safe.

Im only sorry I didn't see you for so
long. For that I'm sad.

Now Brenda and KC must carry on, as we all do but your strength will help us do that.

I love you Dad and always will.

Love your daughter forever,

Toni Dee

Becky Rose

January 23, 2013

Jsut wanted to light a candle for Denny

Rick & Ellen Muhs

January 23, 2013

One More Star

We have this feeling there's one more star up in the sky tonight. And even though it's far away, its brightness and warmth still reach us here to make the night a little less dark.

Denny was a very close friend, but sorry to say had not visited him for a long time, to which deepens my sorrow - We will miss him, but with a smile as we know he is in heaven with God.

With our Deepest Sympathy

Rick and Ellen Muhs

Sherri Floyd

January 23, 2013

Dennis will be missed. He had such spunk and spirit regardless of all he'd endured in his life.
He had insight few of us ever achieve and it came at a cost most of us are never required to pay. Those lucky enough to be in his life are forever changed and better because of it. He always cared how others were doing, asked about each person and encouraged all. He had this very special way of making a person feel they not only mattered greatly but that they were going to achieve whatever they put their hands and heart towards. He had every reason to be bitter and angry due to the hand he was dealt and I'm sure he had his periods of that. Regardless, he didn't stay there. He played his hand and his true character grew more beautiful through the years. Dennis was focused on God and his will the last time we spoke. He was concerned about those he cared for being focused on what matters. He didn't mention his own struggles, he didn't complain. He simply spread love, encouragement and he made us laugh. He was a gift, I'm grateful he was in my life and I'll miss him.
Rest in peace Dennis, you were a great stepfather and a dear friend.

Larry and Claryce King

January 23, 2013

Our condolances......

Becky Rose

January 23, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I know Denny will be missed by all.
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

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