Denny Dick Smith, 82, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2021, at
3:05 p.m. with his wife Fran Smith at his side. He had been ill since
late December of 2020 and had been in four hospitals and in Western
Prairie Health & Rehab Facility in Ulysses since April 9.
Denny was born on September 8, 1939, to Darrell and Lela (Davis) Smith
at Rexford, Kansas. His was the last home birth in that small town.
Denny excelled in music, especially singing. He sang in the church in
Rexford on many occasions, and he majored in Voice with a minor in
Instrumental at Bethany Lutheran College in Lindsborg, KS. He continued
singing in the U.S. Navy at Beeville (TX) Naval Base choir and in every
church the couple attended.
During college in Lindsborg, he married Kay VanDorn in 1958, and their son Brent was born in 1959. They divorced.
Denny joined the U.S. Navy in 1962 and was stationed in Beeville for
the remainder of his service. He was a Control Tower Operator, helping
to train pilots for the Vietnam War. In Beeville, he met Frances Smith
from Pflugerville, TX, and they married in 1966. After his honorable
discharge from the Navy, Denny and Fran moved to Lindsborg, KS, where he
continued his education, receiving his Bachelor of Music in 1967. The
couple then moved to Utica, KS, where their son Christopher was born.
Their second son, Alden, was born in 1970. The Smiths then lived in
Rexford, Quinter and Goodland, KS, Austin, TX, and Sidney NE, before
Denny and Fran moved to Ulysses, KS, where they have resided for 21
years. Both taught in Ulysses before retiring in 2003.
Denny taught music in Utica, Quinter, and Montezuma before continuing
his education at FHSU in Guidance Counseling and Administration,
receiving a Master’s degree in both over the next several summers. He
later went back to FHSU for certification to teach Special Education
with behavior disordered students. He was a guidance counselor in Lenora
and Goodland, KS, and a Special Education teacher in Sidney, NE. He
ended his career in education in Ulysses as the guidance counselor for
Kepley Middle School.
Denny was interested in so many things: music, photography, traveling,
astronomy, and he also was the author of two volumes of personal short
stories about growing up in Rexford. He also wrote a book containing
biographical information about all the members of his Davis family,
which he distributed to his cousins and their children. He was
contemplating writing more stories before he passed away.
He was a member of Lions Club International, belonging to clubs in
Utica, Lenora, Goodland, Sidney, and Ulysses. He was the District
Governor of 17-K’s Lions District 4 in 2006, and he served his clubs as
president and vice president. He was a very devoted and enthusiastic
Lion who worked on some excellent projects to serve the people wherever
he lived. His latest club was Ulysses Lions Club.
He is survived by his loving wife Frances L. (Smith) Smith of Ulysses;
three sons: Brent and partner Lynn, Christopher and partner Jason
Blackwell, and Alden and wife Phyllis; grandson Kinton Smith and wife
Sarah and great-grandson Ronan; many cousins and a host of friends and
former students.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church (104
South Maxwell, Ulysses) at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 25, with a
lunch to follow. Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79 will
present flag and play taps. Family will greet friends from 6:00 until
8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 24, at Garnand Funeral Home (405 W. Grant
Avenue, Ulysses).
Memorial contributions may be given to Denny Smith Music Scholarship Fund or the Ulysses Lions Club in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Kansas 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.