Rance Henry Denton passed away peacefully in the arms of his high school sweetheart, and devoted wife on Tuesday August 31, 2021. Rance was born on September 19, 1947, to Hope and Henry Denton in Hays, Kansas. He is survived by his wife Nancy Denton, daughters Cody Denton, Carey Mackey and Christy Gallegos. In addition to his brothers Jim, Jay, Craig and his sister Jan Norell. He also leaves behind his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mom Hope Denton, father Henry Denton and his daughter Stacey Lynn.
Rance was a character larger than life, from his profound success as a wildcatter in the oil field, to his unrelenting love of living life to its absolute fullest. He truly loved every single member of his family and with his wife Nancy, was the glue that kept the fabrics of his family and extended family together. Rance was uncommonly kind and was known to give you the shirt off of his back if needed. He was a wildly busy and mysterious man, but he somehow always tried to make it to as many of his children and grandchildren’s sporting events and lived for these occasions.
Rance owned Denton Brothers Drilling Company and was the first man to drill a Horizontal well in the Greater Rocky Mountain region.
He attended High School in New Castle, Wyoming, and attended Sterling Community College where he was a standout wrestler and football player. Often, he reminisced on his many accomplishments on the mat, and well…sometimes on the streets, as a tougher and more formidable man likely never existed.
He was affectionately known as Maynard to his daughters because he always would take care of their horses at rodeos that they attended as a family. He traveled near and far to rodeos with his daughters and always made sure they were mounted on the best horses.
No child or grandchild escaped the early morning horror of the blinking lights or shaking beds and his laughter infused words of “DingDong” which landed him many dirty looks and sometimes yelling. All of these will now be missed.
Rance never met a stranger in all of his years of travel and exploration of all life had to offer one such as him. He could walk into a quite bar and leave 3 hours later having made lifelong friends with each character occupying the establishment. He was the walking definition of generous and made sure not a family member or friend new or old went without help if they needed it.
His remote control was sacred, and no one could talk during the Bronco games on Sunday’s. Failure to comply by this rule would result in being removed from the premises. LOL. Rance made it his noble duty to take his family to many unique and memorable destinations, no matter the cost. He was a teacher of basketball, skiing, golf, fishing, and all of the important lessons in enjoying life. Many pinochle games ended with him “Shooting the Moon” followed by boasting of kicking Carey and Christy’s butts.
He left this world the way he lived it, gloriously, memorably and with no fear of the unknown although he wasn’t quite ready. He will be truly missed by so many, but we have the solace of knowing he is now pain free and walking once again.
Rance Henry Denton, You Are Loved.
Tabor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.