Claremore, OK — Funeral service for longtime Claremore resident, Lloyd Dennis, will be held Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at Westwood United Pentecostal Church, with Rev. Duane Nelson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, June 25, from 1-8 p.m. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service and Crematory.

One of 12 siblings, Lloyd was born April 13, 1919, to Andrew Jackson and Nancy Ethel (Epps) Dennis, at Owalla, where he also attended school. He proudly served his country in WWII. On Nov. 10, 1942, he married Esther Fisher in Collinsville. He passed from this life on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at the Claremore Veterans Center. He was 90 years old.

He received numerous medals and awards for his service to his country, including:

American Defense Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Service Ribbon, and Bronze Service Star. He also received a bronze star for valor in battle, which was awarded to him during the Reagan administration.

Lloyd was a self-taught naturalist, who knew everything there was to know about local plants and wildlife. He studied the habits of animals and birds, and could identify most birds by sight and sound. An avid fisherman, he has two “trophy trees” in his pasture, covered with large heads of fish that he has caught. Many times he supplied enough fish for a fish fry for his church or family gatherings. He loved trapping and hunting as well. Also an avid gardener, he always kept track of how many pounds of tomatoes he raised each year.

One of the joys of his life was teaching everything he knew about the great outdoors to his grandson Scott, and his adopted grandson Tim. They spent many happy hours together in the woods or at the lake. Lloyd was a gentle man with a ready smile who loved God and always had time for his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lloyd was predeceased by his parents, six siblings, and his wife of 60 years, Esther.

Survivors include his daughters: Betty Little and husband Winston, and Beverly Dawes and husband Bob, all of Claremore, grandchildren: Scott Little and wife Nancy of Claremore, Susan Bickford and husband Ron of Chelsea, and Tim Horner and wife Anita of Oologah, great-grandsons: Brandon and Geoffrey Bickford of Chelsea, siblings: Wayne Dennis of Okmulgee, Zella Catlett of Collinsville, Wilda Welborn of Owasso, Margie Rubeck of Tahlequah, and LouDella Haga of Pawnee, and many nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.

Memorial donations may be made to Claremore Veterans Center, P.O. Box 988, Claremore, OK 74018.

View Lloyd’s online tribute and sign his memory book at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com