Roy Earl Denton Sr.
Roy Earl Denton Sr., 77, of Thebes, died on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.
He was born on March 4, 1940, in Pigeon Roost Hollow outside Olive Branch, the son of Chester Lee Denton and Mamie Sams Denton Counts.
He married Cheryl Rae Irvin Denton on Dec. 16, 1961, in Bethalto, and she survives.
He retired from Illinois Bell after decades of dedicated service as a power system engineer. With his wife, they raised their children in Chatham and later built a home on Sunset Lake in Girard. After retirement, he returned home to the family homestead in Thebes.
He loved the river, and for the past several years, he enjoyed working for Cairo Grain Inspection Agency. He was a member of Mighty Rivers Worship Center in Cairo and a member of New Caledonia Masonic Lodge No. 47.
He enjoyed his days of deer hunting, growing Christmas trees, traveling, camping and family get-togethers.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, he is survived by four children, Roy Earl (Tonya) Denton Jr. of Thebes, Denise Parbs of Springfield, Robert (Paula) Denton of Auburn and Bill (Tim) Denton of Lubbock, Texas; four grandchildren, Tenaya (Jon) Winkelman, Matt (Becky) Parbs, Josh Denton and Erica Denton; a great-granddaughter, Thea Winkelman; a sister, Phyllis Jerman of East Alton; three brothers, Ronnie (Nina) Denton of Arkansas, Marvin (Terry) Denton of Hartford and David (Cheryl) Denton of Texas; a sister-in-law, Marsha (Joe) Bertillo of St. Charles, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Reginald Murray; many nieces; nephews; other extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Caitlin Parbs; a sister-in-law, Pat Murray; his stepfather, Herschel Counts; and his in-laws, Narretta and Earl Irvin.
Masonic services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at Mighty Rivers Worship Center in Cairo. Funeral services followed, officiated by Dr. Larry Potts and the Rev. Terry Turner. His son Robert provided additional remarks.
Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association. Irwin Chapel in Granite City was in charge of arrangements.