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March 28th, 2024

denny smithULYSSES – Denny Dick Smith, 82, died Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. 

He was born Sept. 8, 1939 to Darrell and Lela (Davis) Smith in Rexford.

He married Kay VanDorn in 1958. They later divorced. 

He married Frances Smith in 1966. She survives.

He 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.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1962. He was a control tower operator, helping to train pilots for the Vietnam War. 

He 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 throughout the next several summers. He later went back to FHSU for certification to teach Special Education with behavior disordered students. He worked as a guidance counselor in Lenora and Goodland, and as a special education teacher in Sidney, Neb. He ended his career in education in Ulysses as the guidance counselor for Kepley Middle School.

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.

Survivors also include three sons: Brent and partner, Lynn, Christopher and partner, Jason Blackwell, and Alden and wife, Phyllis; grandson, Kinton Smith and wife, Sarah; great-grandson, Ronan; many cousins; and many other friends and former students.

• Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 at St. John’s Episcopal Church (104 South Maxwell, Ulysses), with a lunch to follow. Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79 will present flag and play “Taps.” 

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. 

Memorials are suggested to the Denny Smith Music Scholarship Fund or the Ulysses Lions Club in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880. 

Condolences may be left at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com