James Donald Dennis

James Donald "Don" Dennis, 79, passed away Thursday, December 04, 2008 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Rev. Stan Alcorn and Brother H.B. Terry will officiate. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. September 16, 1929, Don was born in Oplin, Texas to Arthur and Opal (Harris) Dennis. He attended school in Oplin, Clyde and Abilene. Don was the Distribution Manager for Mrs. Baird's Bakery for 44 years. He married Tommie Jean Royston in Abilene in 1949. She preceded him in death in 1977. Don married Betty Rogers in Abilene on August 12, 1989. He taught Sunday School at Faith Baptist for many years. Don was an avid bowler and enjoyed traveling. He loved dancing and was an excellent dancer and a great "Paw Paw". Don was a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Tommie Jean Dennis in 1977, one son, Jerry Dennis in May of 2008; an infant daughter, Donna Jean Dennis; one brother Arthur "Dan" Dennis, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Betty Dennis, of Abilene; one son, James Randall "Randy" Dennis and wife Linda, of Abilene; one brother, Leo Dennis and his wife Sylva, of Abilene; four grandchildren, Antone, Megan, Erin and James Dennis; one step-son, Benny Davis, of Abilene; one step-daughter, Linda Brown and her husband Don, of Phoenix, Arizona; two step-grandchildren, Courtney Chorn and Tanner Davis. John Ruzinsky, David Carter, Dan Allen, Richard Lucas, Richard Sullivan, Bobby McGary, Norman Ross, Don Olds and Tanner Davis will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be made in honor of Don Dennis to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, Texas 79601; or to the West Texas Rehab Center, 4601Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605.