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In Memory of

Boykin, Dennis Leonard

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Obituary
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Obituary of Boykin, Dennis Leonard

Dennis Leonard Boykin, age 83, passed away on April 18, 2017, at home after a valiant battle against cancer. From his birth on March 24, 1934, to his death on April 18th, he nourished people around him with love, wisdom, and humor. He was born in Bay City, Texas, to John and Clara Boykin and was the oldest son of 11 children. By the age of 11, Dennis began living with the Willford family and working on one of the largest ranches outside Saratoga, Wyoming. In the ranch house, Dennis saw a book for the first time, and with an advanced intelligence, he began the ravenous quest to learn. At the age of 13, he started school for the first time, testing into the sixth grade.  After seven years of formal schooling, he graduated from Platte Valley High School in 1953. Dennis then joined the army, serving his country from 1953-1955.  Following his active military service, he attended the University of Wyoming from 1955-1959, working as a logger during the weekends. After graduating from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Agriculture degree, Dennis taught one year as an 8th grade teacher for the Gillette, Wyoming school district. From 1960-1961, he worked for the WYCO Club.  He was assigned as a deputy sheriff on the Platte River of Wyoming.  It was during this time, that Dennis met the love of his life, Allison Mills, during an A Bar A Ranch dance.  It was love at first sight, and on October 29th, 1960, Dennis and Allison were married. Together they moved to Denver, Colorado, where they eventually had a daughter and two sons.  Dennis worked for Lee Way Motor Freight in Denver from 1961-1965. In 1965, he began his professional working life for the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service.  He worked for the S.C.S. Department for 27 years, retiring with an early out in 1992 in order to start his own business.  Dennis started Land Rehab. Inc. where he traveled throughout the state of Colorado providing land improvement needs for the U.S. Army as well as ranchers and farmers. During this time, he studied and became an accomplished pilot, eventually owning a 1940 A35 Bonanza.  With the consistent enjoyment of accomplishing new goals, Dennis masterfully wrote two books: a memoir called The Boykin Boy, published in 2005, and a western novel called Carson’s Lease, published in 2006, both now available on Amazon. During this time, Dennis bought a ranch and began enjoying ranch life. Following the publication of Carson’s Lease, Dennis began developing a lifetime love of weight lifting into a disciplined, competitive goal.  He competed around the country in AAU Power Lifting competitions, eventually winning the AAU World Championship for his age and weight in Bench Press, Dead Lift, and the Push-Pull, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in December 2006 at the age of 72.  Dennis truly loved life to the fullest through simple pleasures and goal setting accomplishments.  He had an uncanny ability to reach people on a deep and positive level, motivating them to be the best possible person in following their God-given gifts, talents, and dreams. Dennis always felt his greatest accomplishment in life was in raising his three children following the untimely death of his wife, Allison, in 1967.  He put his heart and soul into meeting their needs and helping them accomplish and fulfill their dreams.  This effort eventually forwarded into his nine grandchildren as well. The devotion and love given and bestowed on his children surpassed any and all personal pleasures Dennis enjoyed in life.  Dennis is survived by his three children from Allison, daughter Kellie Jo Quinn (Greg Quinn) of Carrollton, Texas, son James Patrick Boykin (Roberta Boykin) of Colo. Springs, Colo., son Donovan Lee Boykin (Catherine Boykin) of Kiowa, Colo., and son, Doug Boykin of Las Vegas, New Mexico, from a previous marriage. Dennis is survived by one brother, Frank Boykin of Marietta, Georgia.  Grandchildren include Stephanie Hrabal (Daniel) from The Colony, Texas, Jenna Alexander (Michael) of Carrollton, Texas, Lauren Quinn of Carrollton, Texas, Justin Boykin of Atlanta, Georgia, Austin Boykin of Colo. Springs, Colo., Kellie Anne Boykin and Kaitlyn Boykin, both of Kiowa, Colo; Bear and Bo Boykin of Las Vegas, New Mexico; and five great-grandchildren.   Funeral services will be 2:00p.m., Monday, June 19, 2017 at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Denton County Children’s Advocacy Center, 1854 Cain Drive, Lewisville, Texas 75077         Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.  

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  1. Tammy Gibson says:

    Uncle Dennis was a dynamic man and was a great father, I always enjoyed seeing him when he visited and I had the pleasure of seeing him in Colorado. My condolences to all his family. Tammy Gibson and family.

    Tammy Gibson

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Uncle Dennis was a dynamic man and was a great father, I always enjoyed seeing him when he visited and I had the pleasure of seeing him in Colorado. My condolences to all his family. Tammy Gibson and family.

  2. Dennis Leonard Brown says:

    Sorry to hear uncle Dennis has passed. You are all in our thoughts.

    Dennis Leonard Brown

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Sorry to hear uncle Dennis has passed. You are all in our thoughts.

  3. Patricia Rice says:

    Dennis was very special to me. So sorry for your loss.

    Patricia Rice

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Dennis was very special to me. So sorry for your loss.

3 thoughts on “Boykin, Dennis Leonard”

  1. Uncle Dennis was a dynamic man and was a great father, I always enjoyed seeing him when he visited and I had the pleasure of seeing him in Colorado. My condolences to all his family. Tammy Gibson and family.

    Tammy Gibson

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Uncle Dennis was a dynamic man and was a great father, I always enjoyed seeing him when he visited and I had the pleasure of seeing him in Colorado. My condolences to all his family. Tammy Gibson and family.

  2. Dennis Leonard Brown

    Sorry to hear uncle Dennis has passed. You are all in our thoughts.

    Dennis Leonard Brown

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Sorry to hear uncle Dennis has passed. You are all in our thoughts.

  3. Dennis was very special to me. So sorry for your loss.

    Patricia Rice

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Dennis was very special to me. So sorry for your loss.

Leave a Reply

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The maximum upload file size: 100 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here