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Dennis McBride Obituary
August 20, 1944 - September 30, 2023
Dennis McBride (79) entered into the presence of His Redeemer and Lord Saturday, September 30.
A true servant, shepherd, and teacher, he lived what he taught and believed with great joy, integrity and gentleness of spirit.
He was a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, friend, Vietnam veteran, U.S. National Yo-Yo Grandmaster, and Yo-Yo Hall of Fame Inductee.
Born to Paul and Barbara McBride and raised in Whittier CA, Dennis graduated from California High School, and had Master's Degrees from Talbot School of Theology and The Master's Seminary.
Dennis married Carol Powell. Together they raised their son, Jamie, and had many years of Christian ministry, first with The Salvation Army as officers (pastors), then with Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA where Dennis served as one of its pastors, taught at The Master's Seminary and worked at Grace to You as an editor They later moved to Solvang, CA where Dennis pastored Trinity Baptist Church and Community Church, Buellton.
Taking a break from Christian ministry, Dennis was recruited to train youths doing yo-yo demonstrations in Asia and Europe.
Following Carol's death, Dennis married his high school sweetheart, Lynda Hamner Smith. Together they ministered at Bethany Bible Church, Lake Havasu City, AZ where Dennis was pastor for 11 years.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Lynda, sons Jamie (Kelly) McBride, and Mark Smith, daughters Denise (Darryl) Joyce, and Cheryl (Jeff) VanOrnum, 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a Memorial Service for Dennis Saturday, October 14, 2:00 pm at Bethany Bible Church, 1200 Park Terrace Ave., Lake Havasu City, AZ. Interment will be Friday, October 20 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Solvang, CA. Memorial gifts may be made to Bethany Bible Church at the address above.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dennis McBride
2 Entries
Lt. Colonels Doug & Sheryl Tollerud
October 21, 2023
Dennis and Carol were our pastors in Anchorage, Ak when we were first married (45 years ago). They were a special example of two lives fully dedicated to serving God with truth, intelligence, thoughtfulness, and great joy! They were a powerful influence on our lives as we began our journey into Christian ministry in The Salvation Army. We had so much fun as a quartet - singing, doing special events and weekly Open Airs (street ministry).
One week We we´re sharing on the street next to the bars in downtown and a woman who was high on drugs came up to us and began to harass us and even plucked off one of Denny´s guitar strings. Denny could have handled her physically, being a black belt in karate, but instead guided us with these words: "We came to her at her home and will respect her. But we need to see beyond her actions to her true need of Jesus´ grace." We invited her back to the church for coffee and food, which she declined although many others took advantage of. But we never forgot that lesson of Christlike love and grace.
We continued toward becoming Salvation Army officers after Dennis and Carol went to their ministry with John MacArthur and when we moved to California to prepare, Denny and Carol got together with us to encourage, guide and pray for us as we pursued God´s call. Our paths were going in different ways, but our true faith in God has kept us United in the love of Jesus Christ. We are forever grateful.
Our love, prayers and thoughts are with Lynda, Jamie and all of the extended family. How rich and blessed we are to have had Denny as a friend.
Doug and Sherry Tollerud
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Eva chamberlain
October 21, 2023
So grateful to have known Dennis. He was a year behind my session at The Salvation Army Training College so we got to know each other well. He was a man of integrity who loved the Lord. Blessings and comfort to the family.
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