Dehryl Anthony “Tony” Dennis
Dehryl Anthony “Tony” Dennis
Dr. Dehryl A. “Tony” Dennis, 75, of Boise, died Sunday, January 8, 2017, at home of natural causes, and was surrounded by his loving family.
Tony was born on June 9, 1941 in Gooding, Idaho, to Elvin J. and Muriel Bain Dennis. He graduated from Melba High School in 1959, received a B.A. from Graceland University in 1963, his M.A. from Interamerican University in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in 1969, and his Specialist and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Idaho, in 1983.
On August 4, 1963, Tony was married to Sylvia Roxanne Coleman in Berkeley, California. This was the beginning of a true love story that lasted 53 wonderful years. His professional career, as an educator, began in 1963. He taught and coached in many locations including Homedale, Kuna, Puerto Rico, and Illinois, from 1963 to 1976. It was then that he returned to Idaho, and served in various positions within the Boise School District. In 1994, his career in education culminated by serving 5 years as the District Superintendent, until his retirement, in 1999.
Dr. Tony Dennis always felt a special commitment to the needs of those students who were interested in vocational-technical education, and was the visionary credited with the building of a state of the art technical learning center in the Boise School District. The Dennis Professional-Technical Center was named after him in recognition of his efforts to create a state-of-the art technical facility to provide career opportunities to thousands of underrepresented school children.
Tony always had a passion for the outdoors. He loved hunting for deer and elk in the hills above Fairfield, every year with his friends and family, and fishing every summer for red and king salmon, on the Kenai River, in Alaska. He also loved watching his grandkids participate in athletics and musical recitals. He was a huge Boise State Bronco fan and for 40 years was a season ticket holder in both basketball and football. Also, as a lifelong dedicated and faithful member of his church, the Community of Christ, he fulfilled numerous responsibilities through fellowship and ministry.
Survivors include his wife, Sylvia R. Dennis; children; son, Coby (daughter in law, Susan), daughter, Denelle (future son in law, Luke), and son, Kyle (daughter in law, Jill), grandchildren; Logan, Emily, Trey, Paeton, Kameron, Jack, Ben, Celeste; Brother Larry Dennis and wife Rita; Brother-in-law Dennis Coleman and wife Jo, Sister-In-Law Cindy Taylor and husband Don; nephews, Ty, Jeremy, Nathan, Caleb, Michael, Sean, and David; niece, Martha; and their respective families.. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elvin and Muriel Dennis, in-laws, Sylvester and LaVonna Coleman, and brother, Dan E. Dennis.
A memorial service will be held for Tony at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017, in the Borah High School Auditorium, 6001 Cassia St., Boise, ID 83709. Services are under the direction of the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. Everyone is welcome to attend the celebration of Tony’s life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boise Public Schools Foundation. Go to www.boiseschoolsfoundation.com, click the Donate button and select the Dr. Dehryl ‘Tony’ Dennis Memorial Fund. Checks may also be mailed to the Boise Public Schools Foundation, 8169 W. Victory Road, Boise, ID 83709.
1941 - 2017
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