Dennis Wayne Davenport

life story

Adventurer

Loving Son, Brother, and Friend...

About Dennis

Loving Son, Brother, Friend, Teacher, and Adventurer Dennis Wayne Davenport passed away quietly on September 30, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was an enthusiastic student of the world, always on a learning adventure. Dennis was born to John and Virginia Grinstead Davenport at March Air Force Base near Riverside, California on October 22, 1952.

He graduated from Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Iliinois in 1972 and then went to The University of Colorado in Boulder. He received his degrees, and later earned an A+ Computer Support Technician Associate Certificate.

After graduation, he worked for AT&T as a Reliability Engineer. Then he worked for multiple school districts as a high school science teacher and as a math professor at the Community College of Denver.

Throughout his career he made a great difference for every individual with whom he worked. He was always willing to help and give of himself.

When he was a child, Dennis loved learning about electronics and became a ham radio operator. He enjoyed meeting those with the same interest. He built his own radio transmitter from scratch. Dennis also operated the sound system for school assemblies, and was a leading competitor in Jaycee sports.

He often talked about cub scouts, ice skating on Leclaire Lake in Edwardsville, and his summers spent at the family resort in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Big Manistique Lake.

As an adult he visited nearly every national park in the United States, and also travelled throughout Europe, and went on many long bicycle trips.

Dennis was an amateur photographer and enjoyed going to music concerts. He enjoyed listening to The Beatles, Beach Boys, and Simon and Garfunkel.

He loved going to air shows, art festivals, museums, car shows, geological sites, concerts, beaches, lakes, parks, and visiting friends.

Towards the end of his lifehe talked often about his youth and flying with his father. He spent many enjoyable hours flying with his dad in Cessna and Aeronica small aircraft. They flew long distances to two large Experimental Aircraft Conventions in Wisconsin. Dennis lived a full life indeed.

He will be greatly missed.

Dennis is survived by his mother Virginia Grinstead Davenport of Camdenton Missouri; sister, Terri Lee Davenport of Camdenton, Missouri; brother, Jeff Davenport of Elgin, Texas, and dearest friend and companion, Ruth Dechant of Lakewood, Colorado.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father John Davenport in 2012.

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Some writings by Dennis:

During the last year of Dennis' life I (Uncle David Lee Grinstead) asked him to write about memories of his . The first is "Things I Like". Following that is "My Grandpa Bill" and then "My Dad". Thanks nephew Dennis.

Things I Like by Dennis Davenport:

Walk in the park Catching a sunrise/ sunset. Gazing at the moon As it Twinkles on a lake. Looking at Orion Star software. Knowing the weather. Drive through a tunnel of trees. Visiting national Parks. Ranger talks. Gazing into a campfire. Unusual rock formations. Cabin on a lake. Smell of cedar wood. Blue skies with a few puffy clouds. Riding a bicycle on MN trails. Swimming. Diving board. Ski in summer/winter. Island adventures. Cave exploring. Waterfalls. Tubing on a river. Hot springs. Swimming pools. Ocean views Shooting stars. Rainbows. Northern lights. Smell after a thunderstorm. Walking barefoot. Visiting Europe. Being healthy. Pretty girls on the beach. A good night's sleep. European Health club. Convertible with top down on country road. Smell of fresh cut grass. Kissing, hugging ... Family meals. Turkey and pumpkin pie. Sweet potatoes. Pinto beans. Oatmeal, millet. Cottage/mozerella cheese. Refrigerator, stove, ... Apple, banana, kiwi,grapes Prune, nectarine, raison Blueberries, salmon Sardines, Aldeen chocolate ice cream. Apple sauce with cinnamon. Spices. Refried beans, Lettuce, cheese, Supreme pizza with all the toppings. Baby spinach, burrito, Natural unprocessed food, Grandmas, Mom, Dad. Walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews Sunflower seeds Pumpkin pie. Vanilla yogurt. Organic strawberries. Learning new things. Sand beach. Water slides. Friends for 50 years. Church messages that "Hit the spot". Feeling that there is somebody that cares. Feeling that life is eternal. Church mountain camp. Boy Scouts Canoe and camping adventures. People that are dependable. Putt putt golf Products that last a long time. Products that work as described. Honest people. Plain simple women. "Easy to get along with" people. Exercise and stretching . Medical treatments that work with minimum side effects. Bright teeth. Good meals. Environmentally friendly job. Living a long, healthy, happy, loving, life. A day without pain. Pain pills that work without side effects. Natural medicine that works. Good sayings. There are three kinds of people in the World: 1. People who stick with you when you at hurt. 2. People who abandon you when you are hurt. 3. People who cause you to be hurt. Smooth roads without cracks or bumps. Safe neighborhoods. Low-priced dependable simple spacious car. Back massage. Foot massage. Things in order, so I can find them quickly. Telephone calls without machines. Cell phones. Google search. Understanding technical things. Calling friends. Friends who call, especially when I'm sick. Shoes and clothes that fit. To be cleanly shaven. To make plans and see them successfully completed. Wrap-around sunglasses. Eye doctor visits. Wristwatch. To be 10 minutes early for things. To feel like there is hope -- no matter what the odds. To have a simple ordinary traditional funeral/burial without cremation. Handicapped Tools: Grabby tool. lightweight transporter wheelchair that anyone can push and fits in a car. Digital pulse/O2 gauge Digital blood pressure gauge. Pistol grip digital temperature thermometer. Electric scooter. crutches Neosporin - original formula and one-size bandaids. Large/extra large disposable briefs. Medium-size disposable bed pads. Physical therapy at the right times. White no scent 30 gallon trash bags. Hand held mirror -- 4 inch. Multivitamin Vitamin D 1000 hi Omega 3 tablet. Pocket size fan with rechargeable AA batteries with charger. 6 foot brown extension cord. Flashlight. Mini pocket and mini headlight. Cinnamon Garlic Turmeric Antioxidants. Catheter set for for DIY fixing of urinary blockage. A good road map. A car you can fix yourself. Rubber boots for avoiding chiggers bites. Mace for people who try To physically assault you. Knowing how to avoid danger and applying it. Avoiding poison ivy. Avoiding snakes. Avoiding mosquito. Avoiding flies, ticks. Foods that calm your stomach.

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery

Dennis wrote about some favorite things...

During the last year of Dennis' life I asked him to write about memories of his . Thanks nephew Dennis.

Things I Like:

Walk in the park Catching a sunrise/ sunset. Gazing at the moon As it Twinkles on a lake. Looking at Orion Star software. Knowing the weather. Drive through a tunnel of trees. Visiting national Parks. Ranger talks. Gazing into a campfire. Unusual rock formations. Cabin on a lake. Smell of cedar wood. Blue skies with a few puffy clouds. Riding a bicycle on MN trails. Swimming. Diving board. Ski in summer/winter. Island adventures. Cave exploring. Waterfalls. Tubing on a river. Hot springs. Swimming pools. Ocean views Shooting stars. Rainbows. Northern lights. Smell after a thunderstorm. Walking barefoot. Visiting Europe. Being healthy. Pretty girls on the beach. A good night's sleep. European Health club. Convertible with top down on country road. Smell of fresh cut grass. Kissing, hugging ... Family meals. Turkey and pumpkin pie. Sweet potatoes. Pinto beans. Oatmeal, millet. Cottage/mozerella cheese. Refrigerator, stove, ... Apple, banana, kiwi,grapes Prune, nectarine, raison Blueberries, salmon Sardines, Aldeen chocolate ice cream. Apple sauce with cinnamon. Spices. Refried beans, Lettuce, cheese, Supreme pizza with all the toppings. Baby spinach, burrito, Natural unprocessed food, Grandmas, Mom, Dad. Walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews Sunflower seeds Pumpkin pie. Vanilla yogurt. Organic strawberries. Learning new things. Sand beach. Water slides. Friends for 50 years. Church messages that "Hit the spot". Feeling that there is somebody that cares. Feeling that life is eternal. Church mountain camp. Boy Scouts Canoe and camping adventures. People that are dependable. Putt putt golf Products that last a long time. Products that work as described. Honest people. Plain simple women. "Easy to get along with" people. Exercise and stretching . Medical treatments that work with minimum side effects. Bright teeth. Good meals. Environmentally friendly job. Living a long, healthy, happy, loving, life. A day without pain. Pain pills that work without side effects. Natural medicine that works. Good sayings. There are three kinds of people in the World: 1. People who stick with you when you at hurt. 2. People who abandon you when you are hurt. 3. People who cause you to be hurt. Smooth roads without cracks or bumps. Safe neighborhoods. Low-priced dependable simple spacious car. Back massage. Foot massage. Things in order, so I can find them quickly. Telephone calls without machines. Cell phones. Google search. Understanding technical things. Calling friends. Friends who call, especially when I'm sick. Shoes and clothes that fit. To be cleanly shaven. To make plans and see them successfully completed. Wrap-around sunglasses. Eye doctor visits. Wristwatch. To be 10 minutes early for things. To feel like there is hope -- no matter what the odds. To have a simple ordinary traditional funeral/burial without cremation. Handicapped Tools: Grabby tool. lightweight transporter wheelchair that anyone can push and fits in a car. Digital pulse/O2 gauge Digital blood pressure gauge. Pistol grip digital temperature thermometer. Electric scooter. crutches Neosporin - original formula and one-size bandaids. Large/extra large disposable briefs. Medium-size disposable bed pads. Physical therapy at the right times. White no scent 30 gallon trash bags. Hand held mirror -- 4 inch. Multivitamin Vitamin D 1000 hi Omega 3 tablet. Pocket size fan with rechargeable AA batteries with charger. 6 foot brown extension cord. Flashlight. Mini pocket and mini headlight. Cinnamon Garlic Turmeric Antioxidants. Catheter set for for DIY fixing of urinary blockage. A good road map. A car you can fix yourself. Rubber boots for avoiding chiggers bites. Mace for people who try To physically assault you. Knowing how to avoid danger and applying it. Avoiding poison ivy. Avoiding snakes. Avoiding mosquito. Avoiding flies, ticks. Foods that calm your stomach.