Dennis R. Stange

Dan Stange, age 74, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2011, at his home in Denison, with his wife and son by his side.

Dan lived an amazing and passionate life. He was born on September 18, 1937 in St. Paul, Minnesota to John Henry and Catherine Breier Stange. He served in the United States Marines and Air Force for 23 years, including serving as an Air Commando at NKP during the Vietnam War. His military travels took him and his family on wonderful experiences, including being stationed in Japan, Germany, Michigan, California, and Texas.

Dan was a northern boy from the city who fell in love with the southwestern, small town lifestyle and its people. He had a childhood mischievousness and fun loving spirit that never left him, even during his ladder years.

Opa loved sports and played hockey growing up. He once played on a team with Herb Brooks, coach of the famous “Miracle on Ice” USA Olympic Hockey Team. But the sports Opa loved the most were any and all his grandchildren played.

Opa was a life member of many organizations including the VFW, the Perrin Air Force Base Museum, the Lone Star Masonic Lodge #403, Scottish Rite of Dallas, and the Sv Ixheim Soccer Club in Germany. He has been a member and an elder of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church since 1969. He donated money and time to many, many organizations and people, especially those involving kids.

Opa served as a mentor for many years at elementary schools, teaching children reading and math, and showing them how to be positive about school. Kids, some now adults, still came by to the very end thanking him.

But out of all of his pride and joys, Dan had only one true love of his life, his wife Bernice. The strength and perseverance of their love carried them through life’s struggles and also many, many good times. They were able to tell each other “I love you” at the very end.

Dan is survived by his wife, Bernice Stange, of Denison; two sons, Rick Stange, and wife Elizabeth, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Kurt Stange, and wife Angela, of Denison; brother-in-law, Ben Vavra of Minnesota; niece, Nicky Vavra of Minnesota; nephew, Paul Vavra of New Hampshire; cherished grandchildren, Allie Stange, April Stange, and Reece Stange all of Denison; step-grandchildren, Kenneth Graham of North Carolina and Rob Graham of Ohio; and by four step great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Dennis H. “Opa” Stange will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Denison with Dr. Ron Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman with Scott Cunningham, Ish Kaniatobe, Lavern Terble, Paul Vavra, Joe Wallace, and Larry Wallace serving as pallbearers. Military graveside honors will be provided by the men and woman of the Sheppard Air Force Base Honor Guard. The family wishes to recognize E.C. Cravey, Floyd Eldredge, Jim Farris, and Dave Williams as honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 5:00 P.M., Sunday afternoon at Bratcher Funeral Home. 401 W. Woodard St. Denison, TX 75020. (903) 465-2323.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church in Opa’s honor. 1708 Hyde Park Ave., Denison, TX 75020. (903) 465-6197.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.bratcherfuneralhome.com.