H.L. "KID" DENNIS

H. L. "Kid" Dennis, age 85, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died Wednesday, Dec.1, 2010, at the Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott.

He was born Oct. 12, 1925, in Mapleton, Kan., the son of Hollie J. Dennis and Ella Blodgett Dennis.

Kid graduated from the Fulton High School and Fort Scott Community College.

He later received his Masters degree in education from Pittsburg State University.

Kid served with the United States Navy during World War II.

He married Margie McNeil on Jan. 3, 1946, at Fort Scott, Kan. The couple would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2011.

Mr. Dennis began his teaching career at Mapleton, Kan., where he taught Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grades. He later taught social science courses and coached football and basketball at both Leroy and Kingman, Kan., High Schools.

He later served as a guidance counselor at Kingman and Paola High Schools.

Following 37 years in education, Kid and Margie relocated to Fort Scott in 1988.

Kid was a member of the Community of Christ Church, the Masonic Lodge where he had served as Worshipful Master in Kingman, Kan., the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars where he had served as Commander of the Leroy, Kan., Post. He was also a past member of the Iza Stompers Square Dance Club where he had served as the club's president.

Kid was an avid sports fan. In his earlier years he played baseball and basketball and later enjoyed bowling and golf.

He also enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge.

Survivors include his wife, Margie, of the home in Fort Scott; a daughter, Janet Soldan, Las Vegas, Nev.; and two grandsons, Joe Hix, Dallas, Texas; and Scott Hix, Las Vegas, Nev.

Also surviving are a brother, Bob Dennis, and a sister, Erma Clayton, both of Fort Scott.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, David Dennis and two sisters, Fern Shipley and Hazel Stoughton.

Elder Robert Clark and Elder David Nickelson will conduct funeral services at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery where full military honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Fort Scott Community Endowment Association with emphasis on Elementary Education and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at www.cheneywitt.com.