Dennis Edwards
October 07, 1942 - February 21, 2013
Obituary
Dennis Harold Edwards passed away on February 21, 2013, at Billings Health and Rehab after a short but dignified battle with lung cancer. Dennis was born October 7, 1942 in Harlowton, Montana, to Harold O. and Eva E. Edwards. He attended Harlowton schools and was a star contributor to several championship football seasons for the Harlowton High School Engineers. Soon after graduating in 1960, he married Dorothy DeBuff and enrolled at Eastern Montana College (now MSU -Billings). Shortly after the birth of his first son, Daniel, Dennis received his BS degree (History/Speech-Drama) from Eastern in December 1964. He moved his family to Ceres, California, where he began his teaching career. Two years later, he moved his family to Susanville for a teaching position at Lassen High School. Susanville was the birthplace of daughter, Denise. The following year Dennis received a fellowship to Utah State University where he received a MA degree in Political Science. Son, Douglas, joined the family during the year spent in Logan. The family returned to Susanville and Dennis taught political science at Lassen College where he remained for the next 12 years. He served as department chairperson for several years during his tenure at Lassen College. In the spring of 1982, he accepted a position as Dean of Humanities at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento and went on to become Dean of Instruction. He retired in 1995 and they moved back to his hometown and 'Big Sky Country.' Dennis is survived by his continued best friend, Dorothy Edwards; sons, Daniel of Elk Grove, CA, and Douglas of Sacramento, CA; brother, Mike (Terri) of Bainbridge Island, WA; grandchildren, Jordan Puckett, Abbott Edwards, Riley Edwards and Cooper Edwards; nephews, Steve Johnson and Mike Edwards and niece, Kirsten Arauz. Predeceasing him were his parents, his daughter, Denise Edwards, and sister, Linda Mills. Service: Cremation has taken place with Dahl Funeral Chapel in charge. As requested by Dennis, there will be no service at this time. A memorial will be held later this year.
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Memories
HD
Hal DeBuff
Other •
Dot, Dan, and Doug ..... Prayers of strength and peace to you!!
DE
Dorothy Edwards
Other •
Dennis, you will not be forgotten. Thanks for the memories.
LN
Lorraine Nelson
Other •
Dennis was a classmate of mine and I enjoyed knowing him. I would like to extend my sympathy to his boys, Dot, Mike, and his grandchildren for their loss.
JG
Judy Abney Garrison
Other •
I hope you are now resting in peace. My brother Don Abney passed away on Dec. 17th and I think you guys are way to young to be gone, but I think you guys are up preparing a place for all of us.
JV
John Voldseth
Other •
The news travels slowly to snowbirds who have gone south for the winter. I just heard of my very good friends passing yesterday. I will miss him and our lively discussions about politics and college sports. My best regards to all of his family and friends. John Voldseth
S
Shelley
Other •
The faculty at CRC is grieving for the loss of a great man. I was a beginning part-time teacher there decades ago when I was suddenly struck by personal tragedy. I managed to get to work anyway the next day, but the first thing I heard on campus was Dennis' secretary saying: "He's searching the campus and looking for you." He found me, ushered me into his office, and as we went in, I will always remember him calling over his shoulder to his secretary: "Cancel my meetings." I was stunned then, as I am stunned today all these years later, that such a busy man would go to such trouble and stop his day in order to take time to console me for my loss. I don't think any other dean would have done that. But Dennis did. I will never forget that, and I will never forget him. He is owed so much by so many. Blessings to the family.