Dennis was one of the most talented people I have ever known. It came so naturally to him and he brought so much joy to the people who had the pleasure of listening to him play. I'll never forget him. He was a very special person.
Dennis Gary was one of my best friends from ages 5 until he passed away. Dennis, Karen Van Westen and I used to get into all kinds of mischief (can you imagine)?? He was a musical prodigy and never ceased to amaze me how he could pick any instrument (and I mean ANY) and play it. May you RIP Dennis.
Dennis was a great friend to everyone. He entertained us, kept us laughing and drove us everywhere (how many could fit into his car; dozens, I think!). We love you and miss you, Denny!
Dennis made me laugh more than anyone else in school. We used to tease that we were "cousins" because his aunt was married to my ex-brother-in-laws uncle. (stretching it bit I think). In 1993 I had foot surgery and Calvin and I took a trip to Okla (our daughter was living in Tulsa at the time) and we spent a week in Okla City and contacted Dennis and spent some time with him. He was the same as in school, happy and always making one laugh. I am so thankful to have spent that time with him. I will never forget the times we spent together, with Donna and many other friends. Wonderful memories. Love and miss you Denny.
I was in choir along with Dennis. I loved to hear him play the piano. After graduating, I bought a piano to learn to play, but the only one that caught on was my daughter. I was always mistaken at concerts to be the piano player because they said I had the long fingers for it, Dennis had the talent. Besides that, he had the humor and smile to go along with it. He was always kind to me and never had a bad word to say. God bless you always Dennis.
Dennis and I were really close friends and I didn't know about his death until I gained access to this site. I was heartbroken, to say the least. He was a fantastic friend, a talented performer and I loved working with him in drama. He was funny, he was kind and I still remember how great it felt to get one of his warm bear hugs. I was so looking forward to seeing you, Buddy! I guess I'll have to wait until we meet on the other side. With lots of love, Lynda
Denny was not only my cousin, but my best friend. Because my mom would let me go just about anywhere if Denny was going, he took me lots of places with him. Oh, the fun we had. He would even let me drive his VW - don't tell my mom! :) Denny taught me to not be afraid and to "go for it". Denny left Tehachapi after graduation and went to a church college in Pasadena. He majored in music education (duh!)and minored in English Lit (go figure). He traveled extensively with the college music group - which he loved. He married, no children and divorced - not his choice. Denny had a particular hard time after his divorce and was "lost" to me for a few years. I learned later that he had joined a cult in Boston and lived the life of another kind. He spoke little of this life, but not a particular happy time for him. After leaving the cult, he went to Phoenix where he worked for UPS for awhile. He continued his education, but I honestly do not know if he ever received a degree. He then lived for awhile on his parent's "farm" in Oklahoma and taught lots of local kids how to play the piano. When he passed away, he was living in Oklahoma City where he worked for Aetna and played the organ for the 2nd largest Nazarene Church in the world and where he was loved by many. I think of him daily and often feel my "guardian angel" is still looking out for me and encourging me to "go for it". I'm pretty sure he will be at the reunion in spirit because he loved them so much.
Becky Markey (Smith)
Dennis was one of the most talented people I have ever known. It came so naturally to him and he brought so much joy to the people who had the pleasure of listening to him play. I'll never forget him. He was a very special person.Connie Carter (Brown)
Dennis Gary was one of my best friends from ages5 until he passed away. Dennis, Karen Van Westen and I used to get into all kinds of mischief (can you imagine)?? He was a musical prodigy and never ceased to amaze me how he could pick any instrument (and I mean ANY) and play it. May you RIP
Dennis.
Connie Carter
Claudia Galloway (Elliott)
Dennis was a great friend to everyone. He entertained us, kept us laughing and drove us everywhere (how many could fit into his car; dozens, I think!). We love you and miss you, Denny!Nancy Garrett (Garrett)
Dennis made me laugh more than anyone else in school. We used to tease that we were "cousins" because his aunt was married to my ex-brother-in-laws uncle. (stretching it bit I think). In 1993 I had foot surgery and Calvin and I took a trip to Okla (our daughter was living in Tulsa at the time) and we spent a week in Okla City and contacted Dennis and spent some time with him. He was the same as in school, happy and always making one laugh. I am so thankful to have spent that time with him. I will never forget the times we spent together, with Donna and many other friends. Wonderful memories. Love and miss you Denny.Mimi Hernandez
I was in choir along with Dennis. I loved to hear him play the piano. After graduating, I bought a piano to learn to play, but the only one that caught on was my daughter. I was always mistaken at concerts to be the piano player because they said I had the long fingers for it, Dennis had the talent. Besides that, he had the humor and smile to go along with it. He was always kind to me and never had a bad word to say. God bless you always Dennis.Lynda Stokoe (Bailey)
Dennis and I were really close friends and I didn't know about his death until I gained access to this site. I was heartbroken, to say the least. He was a fantastic friend, a talented performer and I loved working with him in drama. He was funny, he was kind and I still remember how great it felt to get one of his warm bear hugs. I was so looking forward to seeing you, Buddy! I guess I'll have to wait until we meet on the other side.With lots of love, Lynda
Donna Mathews
Denny was not only my cousin, but my best friend. Because my mom would let me go just about anywhere if Denny was going, he took me lots of places with him. Oh, the fun we had. He would even let me drive his VW - don't tell my mom! :) Denny taught me to not be afraid and to "go for it".Denny left Tehachapi after graduation and went to a church college in Pasadena. He majored in music education (duh!)and minored in English Lit (go figure). He traveled extensively with the college music group - which he loved. He married, no children and divorced - not his choice. Denny had a particular hard time after his divorce and was "lost" to me for a few years. I learned later that he had joined a cult in Boston and lived the life of another kind. He spoke little of this life, but not a particular happy time for him. After leaving the cult, he went to Phoenix where he worked for UPS for awhile. He continued his education, but I honestly do not know if he ever received a degree. He then lived for awhile on his parent's "farm" in Oklahoma and taught lots of local kids how to play the piano. When he passed away, he was living in Oklahoma City where he worked for Aetna and played the organ for the 2nd largest Nazarene Church in the world and where he was loved by many. I think of him daily and often feel my "guardian angel" is still looking out for me and encourging me to "go for it". I'm pretty sure he will be at the reunion in spirit because he loved them so much.