He had an older brother, Rhea. Before moving to Greenville, his family lived in Lynchburg, Va., and Charlotte, NC. He was a lifelong Presbyterian, with his maternal Grandfather being a Presbyterian minister. He was an active member, deacon, and then an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville.
Denton served in both the European and Pacific theaters as a supply NCO during World War II, a task that he was proud of all his life.
Denton was in Eastern Star and the Masons where he received a 70-year pin at the end of 2016. He was a Shriner.
Denton was a born salesman. He sold clothes at Heyward Mahon on Main Street, brooms for the Lions Club, and retired from Dealers Supply Company where he sold doors and windows. In retirement, he made decorative items in his workshop and sold them at craft fairs and even to the tellers at the bank where he traded.
Denton never met a stranger. His sense of humor was renowned until the day he passed. Along with his shining white hair, he brightened people’s day and brought smiles to their faces. He loved to pick on people, and they would pick right back. Anyone who ever encountered him knew that he liked to tease and flirt. Dorcas always knew that his flirting was innocent, that he was her true husband. They celebrated their 73th wedding anniversary on September 22, 2019.
Denton and Dorcas raised three children, the Rev. Beth Lindsay Templeton, G. Denton Lindsay, Jr. (Liliana) and Charles N. Lindsay (Renee). He cherished his five grandchildren, David S. Templeton, III (Heather), Matthew L. Templeton (Ginger), Erin Lindsay Gambrell (Ryan), Lauren Lindsay Cole (Lee), and Kimberlyn Lindsay Gregory (Andy), and his eight great grandchildren. He was always verbally appreciative of visits. Whenever he was asked what to pray for, he always said for his family. “May they be healthy and happy.”
Denton had a lot of interests. He loved model trains, woodworking, camping, and seeing how things were made. He enjoyed acting. He was in two Little Theater musicals, Mame and 1776. Even at the end of his life, he would still burst into song. He enjoyed traveling internationally. One trip was particularly special because he and Dorcas fulfilled one of the wishes on his bucket list when they visited Fiji, his favorite post while in service. He loved learning. Much of what he knew was self-taught. He’d read the encyclopedia for pleasure. He’d tackle a new skill, such as loom weaving, and once he’d mastered it, he’d move onto to something else.
Denton was the kind of man who didn’t talk much about his faith. He simply lived it. He provided well for his family. He was a devoted husband and friend to his beloved wife, Dorcas. He never took off his wedding ring from the time she put it on his finger on September 22, 1946 until the day he died when she slipped it off and put it on her finger.
Denton’s inheritance to his family is life itself, each other, and his sense of humor. As long as people can laugh together, even in the midst of tears, they will be okay.
Memorials may be made to PCSC Foundation, 2817 Ashland Road, Columbia, SC 29210 or to the charity of one’s choice.
