Leonard Patrick Denham, long-time Oklahoma City business and church leader, died September 3, 2006. He was born here on October 21, 1924, the only child of Patton Otto and Murrel Towler Denham. For many years he was President of Nuway Services, a large commercial laundry business descended from the Towler Laundry, established here in the 1890's by his grandfather Leonard Centennial Towler. Pat attended Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore, OKC's Classen High School, and graduated from Central High School. He attended the University of Oklahoma, studying Chemical Engineering, but enlisted in the United States Navy immediately following the Pearl Harbor attack. Already a private pilot, Pat intended to become a Naval aviator, but served aboard ship in the Pacific Theater prior to beginning aviator training. World War II ended before his training was completed. Upon returning home he married his high school sweetheart whom he first met in kindergarten, Jean Dowdy, of OKC, and joined his grandfather and father in business at Nuway. He and Jeanne enjoyed over sixty years of marriage, rearing three children and welcoming five grandchildren and three great grandchildren (soon to be four). Pat led the growth of the Nuway companies throughout his career, and served for many years on the Board of Directors of United Oklahoma Bank. He was very active in the life of the First Presbyterian Church and Metropolitan Baptist Church, serving these congregations variously as trustee, deacon, and elder. He is survived by his wife Jeanne of OKC, son Michael and daughter-in-law Laurie of Washington, DC, daughter Mindy and fianci Bob Dickey, and son John Mark, all of OKC, along with his grandchildren Daniel, Katy, Ashley, Jessica and Joshua, and great grandchildren. Pat's legacy of gentle, kind, but strong leadership leaves a deep and abiding impression on his family and his many friends in the church and in the Oklahoma City community. His life stands as a witness to the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ, our only Savior, whose eternal embrace he is already enjoying. A memorial service at 1:00 PM Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at Metropolitan Baptist Church will follow a short private service of interment at Rose Hill Burial Park. The church is located at 7201 West Britton Road in OKC (722-2550). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862 or to Metropolitan Baptist Church.



Published in The Oklahoman on 9/6/2006.