Dennis Eleazar Valenzuela
Gramps, Uncle Dennis, Deenie
1934 ~ 2007
Dennis died peacefully at home August 17 of causes incident to TIAs (small strokes) and Dementia. Born June 20, 1934 in Grand Jct. CO to Cecilia Roybal. He grew up in various railroad towns in SW Colorado, moving from place to place with his mother and stepfather, Manuel Valenzuela. Graduated from high school in Denver June 1952, enlisted in the Air Force two months later, served honorably four years. Dennis went to work for the Telephone Company Oct. 1956 in Salt Lake City. Started on a line crew climbing poles and stringing cable, worked his way through many technical and clerical jobs and in the Engineering Dept. He saw many changes in the company including names and retired from US West April 30, 1992. Every job he ever left took two persons to replace him.
Married his soul mate Marrilyn Jones Feb. 23, 1957 in Salt Lake City. Marriage solemnized 2 years later in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. To their union were born four sons and two daughters.
Dennis wanted to become a Franciscan Monk, but instead on Nov. 19, 1957 he was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, embraced it whole heartedly and became "the best member of the Church in our family" (according to his father-in-law). He loved God. He loved the Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved the restored gospel and the church and spent the rest of his life in dedicated service as: Scoutmaster, Ward Teaching Supervisor, M Man Leader, Elders Quorum counselor, three stake missions, Sunday School president, Sunday School teacher, ward clerk for seven years, always a Home Teacher, and his last calling serving seven years as a Veil Worker at the Jordan River Temple.
Having grown up an only child and yearning for siblings, he gloried in being welcomed into Marrilyn's enormous family: three brothers, two sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins by the dozen. He loved family was everyone's favorite "Uncle Dennis" and later "Gramps". He loved kids, anybody's kids. He could turn into a vampire to scare them, play bucking bronco, Brian O'Lynn, Fall-in-the-water on his knees or swing them on his foot. His favorite thing was being of service, making sure everyone's needs were being met.
He is survived by his loving wife Marrilyn, children Matthew, Sandy, UT; Laura (Steve) Nielsen, SLC, UT; Dyann (Jay) Turner, Evanston WY; Paul (Tamee), St. George, UT; Juan (Jennifer), Altamont Springs, FL. 18 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a brother Andrew (Adina) Valenzuela and their son Tanner, and a number of cousins who were the closest to brothers and sisters he had growing up. Preceded in death by stepfather, Manuel, son Mark William Valenzuela, mother Cecilia Roybal Valenzuela.
Funeral service will be Wed., August 22 at Mount Jordan 4th Ward, at 12 Noon, 235 E. 9800 S., Sandy. A viewing will be held Tuesday at Lake Hills, 10055 S. State, from 6-8 in the evening and Wednesday one hour prior to services at the church. Entombment Lake Hills Mausoleum.
The family wishes to thank Matt for all hours of help and care and " Scrabbling" he put in the last months of Gramps' life. Gramps we love you and we miss you.