Morris Lyle Denning, of Hays, Kansas, age 83 passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2026, surrounded by his family at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas. He was born on July 15, 1943, in Concordia, Kansas, to Cyril V. and Annette E. (LaVoie) Denning. He married Janet Lue (Coe) on December 4, 1978, in Hays, Kansas.
He joined the Hays Police Department as a Patrol Police Officer in August 1971, and attended the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Morris transitioned to become a Hays Police Communications 911 Officer in 1978, and held that position until he retired in 2009. Morris was a member of APCO (the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals) and the Fraternal Order of Police.
He was a veteran of the U.S. ARMY, and enlisted in 1961. He was in the Army Security Agency during the Cold War while stationed in Turkey and Germany. He rose to the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged in 1964. He received a Certificate in Special Defense Electronics from KU and Sylvania during his military career.
Morris grew up in Hays, attended the St. Joseph’s Military Academy and ROTC program, and graduated in 1961. He attended FHSU for two years. After leaving the military he worked as a Electronics Quality Technician for Midland Wright Corporation in Kansas City (crystals made there made it to the moon on the Apollo missions).
Morris was a loving husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, great uncle, colleague, and friend. He was known for his calm demeanor and soothing voice on the other end of a 911 call for the citizens of Ellis County for over three decades. He loved riding motorcycles in his youth and was a part of the local motorcycle community through the 1960s and 1970s. His riding passion took him to several states, including a very cold trip to Colorado where his boots froze to the motorcycle pegs by the time he arrived.
Morris had a passion for history, often giving unsolicited, detailed history lessons to anyone who might listen. He had a unique sense of humor and a calming charm. He was a hands-on dad and grandpa who loved to join in on the fun and didn’t mind getting his feet wet or his hands dirty. He was an incredibly loving and supportive husband, and the family’s dedicated “pots and pans” dishwasher at every meal. He was gracious and poised, and always exuded strength during challenging times. He taught each of us who loved him how to face life’s difficulties with dignity and humor. He will be missed more than words can ever express.
Morris is survived by his wife, Janet; their children, Cody and Jana (John); their grandchildren, Brandon, Liam and Caden; his sister, Dianne; his sister-in-law Jody (Doug); his nieces and nephews, Alicia (Michael), Rob, Jill, Jenifer, and Jon; and great-nieces and nephews, Ava, Owen, Everly, and Jace.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril V. and Annette; his brother, Dennis and wife, Betty; his brother-in-law, Ron; and his nephew, Justin.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M., Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, with Father Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 1243 Rome Road, Hays, Kansas, with Military Honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.
A rosary will be led by Father Fred Gatschet at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays. A visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, and from 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made payable to his wife Janet Denning in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas, 67601. Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left at the guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.