Dennis Wesley Mann

Dennis Wesley Mann of Upland, California, died at home in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 10th, 2020. He was the son of Larry and Ruby Mann of Pomona, California, and brother to Bill Jack Mann(deceased) and Gerry A Mann.

Dennis was a family man. Son. Father. Brother. Cousin. Uncle. Nephew, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He was a part of a strong family. He built a strong family. He led a strong family. He taught his children to build strong families.

Born and raised in Pomona, California, he and Marilyn raised their family in Claremont, California. Dennis and Marilyn enjoyed a mountain vacation retreat in the form of a Cabin in Mt. Baldy, where the family would spend the weekends and lived full time for a few years.

Dennis was married three times. First to Marilyn Edith Smith, who passed away from cancer in 1996. Together Dennis and Marilyn had five children, Gerry David, Merry Lynn, Kerry Ruth, Larry Wesley, and Terry William.

After marrying his second wife Donna Murphy, he sold his home in Claremont and moved to Upland, California and added a stepson Mike Murphy. Donna died from surgical complications in 2009. Dennis lived in Upland for the rest of his life.

Dennis is survived by his third wife, Sandie Zellmer. With stepdaughters Lori and Pam, and his five natural children, three stepchildren, fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Ten Nieces and Nephews from the families of Bill & Dottie (John, Julie, Jennifer, Janice, and Jill) Gerry and Carolann (Colleen and Scott), and David and Georgette Smith (Margaret, Janet, and Ted). He cared about and treated his stepchildren, nephews and nieces like sons and daughters.

His family, all his families, meant the world to him. And he meant the world to them.

Dennis was an Eagle Scout, along with both his brothers and father. Scouting shaped a big part of his outlook on life and service to his community. He played the saxophone and the piano, instilling a love of music and giving that gift to his natural children.

Dennis graduated from Pomona High School, attended Mt. Sac Junior College, graduated from the University of Redlands with a degree in Education and earned his teaching certificate, and then attained a master’s degree in administration from the Claremont Graduate School.

A leader in his community, Dennis devoted his professional life in service through his role as an educator. Master Teacher, Elementary School Principal, President of the Teachers Union, he spent more than 30 years with the Claremont Unified School District, serving three generations of students. He shared his passion for education with his first wife, Marilyn, also an elementary school teacher. He joined the Lions Club and served multiple terms as president.

Dennis loved camping trips, with the family at the beach, in the desert, and with the Boy Scouts. He also loved to take summer motorhome road trip vacations with his kids and grandkids, visiting the national parks, as well as extended family and friends across the United States.

He took his duties in the kitchen seriously, as primary taste-tester for any and all sweets and baked goods.

Dennis loved sports. He was a varsity tennis player at the University of Redlands, and coached tennis teams at Claremont High School and Pomona College. He ran a retail tennis business out of his home and taught tennis lessons to the public before school, after school, on the weekends, and during the summer. An avid bowler, he competed in local leagues and national tournaments, as well as coached junior bowlers. As a golfer, he played many of the public courses in Southern California and had a friendly rivalry with his father Larry and brother Gerry. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, and often fed his family with the bounty of his catch. He enjoyed watching baseball, basketball and football at the pro and college level. One of his all-time favorite trips was to travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin to see a Packers Football Game with a group of friends.

In his recent church life, Dennis attended bible studies, Men’s groups, sang in the choir and led multiple grief support groups. He was a regular member and volunteer at the Life Bible Fellowship Church in Upland until recent health prevented active participation.

To paraphrase A.A. Milnes character Piglet from Winnie the Pooh, “We are so lucky to know someone that is so hard to say goodbye to.”

May his life be an example of good living to us all and may he rest in love, rest in joy and rest in peace.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life at a later date when the restrictions of the pandemic are lifted.

The family requests that In lieu of flowers or other charitable gifts, please send your donations to:

Foothill Family Shelter

1501 W. 9th Street

Upland, CA 91786

(909) 920-0453

Website: http://www.foothillfamilyshelter.org