James Gwyn Denton

Dr. James Gwyn Denton, 76, of Dallas passed away peacefully at home on February 2, 2025, surrounded by loved ones and his precious and adored Goldendoodle, Grace Kelly.

James, also known fondly as Dr. D., Jimmy, Dad and Poppy, was born on November 27, 1948, to Christine and Jack Denton in Washington, North Carolina.

An avid tennis player and gifted student, Jimmy graduated from Washington High School and went on to attend the University of North Carolina on a full academic scholarship.

Upon graduation from UNC in 1970, James entered Duke University Medical School where he met Addie Beth Craft of Throckmorton, TX. They married in 1972.

After graduating from Duke Medical School, Dad moved to Saint Louis, MO for his Surgical Residency at Washington University. There, in 1975, his daughter Elizabeth (Liza) was born.

Upon completion of his residency program, James and Addie Beth moved to Dallas, Texas and welcomed their son Jefferson (Jeff) in 1979.

James opened his private Plastic Surgery practice in Fort Worth, Texas in 1981. This career path made perfect sense as he had an impeccable personal style, a keen eye for symmetry in design and a pair of steady hands that could masterfully and gracefully create beauty in everything they touched.

Until his retirement in 2009, Dr. D. changed the lives of thousands of patients.

Poppy was the best dressed man in any room. Even as a young boy, his personal style was always admired. He never left home without a pocket square and had no clue how to “dress down”. He loved Tom Ford sunglasses, designer fragrance and always smelled amazing.

Dr. D. highly enjoyed celebrity gossip, Coca-Cola, lunch dates with friends and outings with his beloved pets. His coffee table book collection was one-of-a-kind. He loved Broadway and ballroom dancing.

James loved to host beautiful parties and always had a full social calendar. He was funny and engaging and loved his friends.

Dad is survived by his daughter, Liza Collins (Justin) and son Jeff Denton (Sarah) all of Dallas; five grandsons Oliver and Sawyer Collins; Henry, William and Teddy Denton; Brother Kent Denton (Cecilia) of North Carolina; numerous nieces, grand-nieces, nephews, grand-nephews and many treasured Carolina cousins. The family would like to extend a very special Thank You to Dottie and Reed McGonagill, Dr. D’s friends of nearly 50 years, who selflessly took great care of him in recent years.

Dr. Denton will be deeply missed. Per his wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held this Spring in Dallas.