Dennis Frank Dear Sr.

Dennis Frank Dear, Sr., having enjoyed his life, loved so many and did no harm to any, has gone on to his reward. God called his servant home around 4PM Tuesday 11/12/2013. He was born 3/28/1950 in Baton Rouge to Frank and Betty Dear. Dennis grew up on the banks of False River and Grosse Tete at his grandparents camps. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1968 where he was an East Baton Rouge Parish player of the week many times over. He also ran track and was Class Wit and Class Favorite.

Dennis was a man of his times in the 60’s like most he followed bands and traveled to festivals. Dennis then felt a strong calling to the Lord. He attended a Sunday service, and at church he met an angel. He thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Dennis inquired about the woman that he heard singing that night, as she was also asking about him. He was asking who that pretty woman was and could someone introduce them, at the same time she was asking people “who is that hippie looking guy?” They met and the journey of their life together began.

Dennis was always a hard worker and told me, as his son, many times “if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” He was a man that approached work with the mindset “that a man should go to work every day, give his best, don’t bother anyone or make trouble.” He lived by this and worked at the same plant for 37 years with men he endeared. Dennis was a man of the woods to which I have never seen an equal. He hunted all over the Southern United States from Hilltop to Pecan Grove and Texas to Florida. He was widely known as a great turkey, deer, dove, and duck hunter. Dennis was also one of the old guards of the Livingston Parish fox hunters who loved to run dogs. He loved judging field trials and made quite a few appearances in the Hunter Horn as he was a well-respected Dog man. He had a patience and stillness in the woods because that was where he was meant to be.

Dennis was the best father that a son could want. He was not a parent that just dropped me off at all the functions I did as a child. He participated in every event. He and Mr. Herbert Walker stepped in and lead my Boy Scout troop. He tireless coached my baseball teams, took me fishing and hunting. He was an outstanding mentor and role model for not only me but all my friends that love to come with us because they loved Dennis’ company and wisdom. Calling someone a man is widely over used in our society, and the title given to those that fall short in comparison. Dennis was a standard of man that is almost gone from the world a MAN in every sense of the word, and like those before him a man among men.

Dennis will be missed dearly by his wife, Vera Welch Dear; son, Denny Dear and wife Tamica; 1 brother; 1 sister; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and 2 special nephews, Philip Constant, and his LSU watching buddy, John Matthew Deale. Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Sunday, November 17, 2013 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Monday, November 18, 2013 from 12:00 pm until the funeral begins at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. You are invited to wear camouflage to the services in honor of Dennis’ love of hunting. Pallbearers are Lyle Huston, Chad Gisclair, Chad Marciante, Windell Smith, Michael Whitaker, and Adrien Gill. Honorary pallbearers are Ronnie Whitaker, Earl Smith, and Herbert Walker. Flowers are welcome and encouraged. Online condolences may be placed at www.greenoaksfunerals.com.