Coffeeville resident, George Edward Denley Jr. passed away Saturday, March 31, 2012.
Mr. Denley was born on Nov. 23, 1920, to George and Alma Denley. He lived his entire life in Coffeeville, except during his service in the United States Navy.
Mr. Denley served his country from Oct. 25, 1941, to Oct. 23, 1945. His service began before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and continued until after the Japanese surrendered. He witnessed the sinking of the Yorktown at the Battle of Midway where he rescued fellow Coffeeville resident, Elmo Bagley. His significant duty stations were the USS Hughes DD-410 and the USS Woolsey DD-437. He received the Presidential Unit Citation, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three stars, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with eight stars. His vivid remembrance of the war was replayed through his numerous Navy stories, which everyone loved to hear.
He married Martha Tierce of Coffeeville on April 16, 1946. He ran his father's sawmill for a time then he and Martha opened "Blue Moon Café on Dec. 13, 1946. They also ran a filling station at the time where he pumped gasoline with a hand pump and it cost 12 cents per gallon. With many other ventures, from car lots to cattle farms, they were business owners in Coffeeville for over 50 years. They had one child, Pamela (Pam) Denley.
Mr. Denley served on the Governor's Staff under Gov. Cliff Finch. He was also an active Republican.
Mr. Denley was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alma Denley; his wife, Martha Tierce Denley; and siblings, Kathryn Wells, Margaret Langham, John Denley, Paul Denley, Donnie Denley, and Alfred Denley.
He is survived by his daughter, Pam D. Hall and son-in-law, David E. Hall Sr.; three grandchildren, David E. Hall Jr., Haley H. Eifling and Lacey S. Hall; four great-grandchildren, Logan Hall, Taylor Kate Hall, Gavin Eifling, and Conner Elise Eifling; and siblings Becky Martin, Larry Denley, and Jerry Denley, Sr.
Visitation was held Monday, April 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Garner-Harper Funeral Home in Grenada. Visitation will also be held Tuesday, April 3, at Elam Baptist Church in Coffeeville from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Elam Cemetery.
With over 91 years of living, Mr. Denley saw this world change drastically. From wooden wagon wheels to watching Lawrence Welk via the Internet, his long life is celebrated.
Garner-Harper Funeral Home is in charge.
Got obituary from http://www.grenadastar.com
Coffeeville resident, George Edward Denley Jr. passed away Saturday, March 31, 2012.
Mr. Denley was born on Nov. 23, 1920, to George and Alma Denley. He lived his entire life in Coffeeville, except during his service in the United States Navy.
Mr. Denley served his country from Oct. 25, 1941, to Oct. 23, 1945. His service began before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and continued until after the Japanese surrendered. He witnessed the sinking of the Yorktown at the Battle of Midway where he rescued fellow Coffeeville resident, Elmo Bagley. His significant duty stations were the USS Hughes DD-410 and the USS Woolsey DD-437. He received the Presidential Unit Citation, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three stars, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with eight stars. His vivid remembrance of the war was replayed through his numerous Navy stories, which everyone loved to hear.
He married Martha Tierce of Coffeeville on April 16, 1946. He ran his father's sawmill for a time then he and Martha opened "Blue Moon Café on Dec. 13, 1946. They also ran a filling station at the time where he pumped gasoline with a hand pump and it cost 12 cents per gallon. With many other ventures, from car lots to cattle farms, they were business owners in Coffeeville for over 50 years. They had one child, Pamela (Pam) Denley.
Mr. Denley served on the Governor's Staff under Gov. Cliff Finch. He was also an active Republican.
Mr. Denley was preceded in death by his parents, George and Alma Denley; his wife, Martha Tierce Denley; and siblings, Kathryn Wells, Margaret Langham, John Denley, Paul Denley, Donnie Denley, and Alfred Denley.
He is survived by his daughter, Pam D. Hall and son-in-law, David E. Hall Sr.; three grandchildren, David E. Hall Jr., Haley H. Eifling and Lacey S. Hall; four great-grandchildren, Logan Hall, Taylor Kate Hall, Gavin Eifling, and Conner Elise Eifling; and siblings Becky Martin, Larry Denley, and Jerry Denley, Sr.
Visitation was held Monday, April 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Garner-Harper Funeral Home in Grenada. Visitation will also be held Tuesday, April 3, at Elam Baptist Church in Coffeeville from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Elam Cemetery.
With over 91 years of living, Mr. Denley saw this world change drastically. From wooden wagon wheels to watching Lawrence Welk via the Internet, his long life is celebrated.
Garner-Harper Funeral Home is in charge.
Got obituary from http://www.grenadastar.com
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