Jerry Joseph Dennington

As a young child his Grandpa "Red" came to rescue him from a life that had become too harsh for a young boy, and brought him to live in Dexter, Missouri. His Grandmother was the biggest and most meaningful influence in his adolescence. They didn't have much from a material perspective, but she embraced him with all she had and raised him with love. He used to tell us that when he was young he knew that one day he would create a good life for himself, and build a family that he would protect and provide for. That's exactly what he did.

After a not so successful attempt at college (i.e. got kicked out for having a little too much fun), he joined the U.S. Air Force and moved out to California In 1957. He was stationed at March Air Force Base and thus began the next leg of his journey.

Jerry met his wife, Helen, while the two were working at the Fox Theatre in Downtown Riverside. After he left the Air Force, he took a job with Fairchild Engineering in L.A., before he began working with the Road Department for the County of Riverside, started his family, and put himself through school part time. He built their home (The Dennington Ranch), and graduated with his BS in Civil Engineering in 1974, with three kids in tow. He bought his company, A-1 Surveying and Engineering, based in Palm Desert, CA, in 1977 and focused on clients and projects in the Inland Empire until he retired in his early seventies. His company was his identity. He operated with integrity, passion, competency, and honesty, which resulted in a business that grew year after year. He never made his work seem like "work". He loved every bit of it. He taught his children to do the same. He demonstrated through his actions that anything worth doing was worth doing well. Although he was constantly fun loving, he was strict when he needed to be, consistent with his guidance, and taught by example that a successful life involves hard work and sweat.

Jerry and Helen were big believers in vacation. Our family enjoyed many a trip to Mammoth, weeks at the beach, river rafting, Yosemite, Havasu, Laughlin, house boating on the Delta and Lake Powell, Washington DC, and many other road trip adventures. Later, Jerry and Helen traveled to New Zealand, Tahiti, the Mediterranean, Panama and Costa Rica. They were the very best of friends and truly lived and loved life, every step of the way.

It's hard to narrow down a concise list of memories or the most important things our Dad taught us, because he was always teaching, and we were always watching this charismatic spirit as he walked through life. But here's just a few things we think you should know about Jerry.

• He loved his family above all else. We were his world. Mom has always said that as we grew older, Dad was the very happiest when our chaotic crew was together again under one roof.

• He was passionate - about everything. His wife. His Kids. His Grandkids. His Friends. Friends of friends. Friends of his kids. Career. Vacations. His home. His lawn. His orange trees. Everything.

• He was a very slow driver; unless there were dangerous mountain curves - then he was a race car driver.

• He laughed, when no one knew what he was laughing about, but somehow it didn't even matter and you would find yourself giggling right alongside him. You couldn't help but laugh with him. He would laugh until tears rolled down his face.

• He was silly. Always silly.

• His compassion was incredible.

• He was generous.

• He was a gentlemen; always opening doors and always carried a handkerchief.

• He loved new life.

• He was genuinely interested in everyone, and his curiosity and questions were endless.

• He didn't teach us to not talk to strangers.

• He effortlessly made new friends.

• He always carried what seemed like rolls of quarters and dimes in his pockets. You could hear that change clinking before he ever entered the room.

• He was crazy about ice cream. He believed it could cure any ailment.

• He loved telling stories. Over and over and over again.

• He was smart. Like really really smart.

• He was always the biggest fan of whichever team won the game.

• He believed in his kids without question; the kind of obvious faith that we couldn't help but believe in ourselves.

• He was overly protective of his family.

• He had many "Jerry-isms" that we heard regularly

o Are you "red eye"? (Translation: are you ready to go?)

o If you're waiting on me you're backing up!

o Anything the mind can conceive the body can achieve

o This is "good stuff"

o I feel good!

o We’re off like a herd of turtles!!

o I never promised you a Rose Garden

• He lived for his grandkids. He finally had a small tribe that could match his energy. He was such a proud Grandfather. He didn't miss any aspect of their lives. He loved our annual Halloween Parties at The Ranch, and which costume Jerry/Grandpa would choose that year was always a largely anticipated part of the event. From Ninja Turtles, to Gorillas, to Pirates, he was always in character.

We know without question how fortunate we are to have had Jerry Dennington as our Husband, Father and Grandfather. He was larger than life, and filled our family up with love, goofiness, structure and wisdom. There’s not a day that will go by that he will not be missed, that we will not feel the loss of his presence, but we will commit to living out his legacy by being quick with a laugh, to smile and say hello to a stranger, and be grateful for each new day we’ve been blessed with. He taught us that.

We love you Jerry/Dad/Grandpa. Thank you for all the gifts you gave us, and all the lessons you taught. You are always with us.

*We would like to thank Meridian Memory Care for serving as an extension of our family over the last 10 months. They cared for our Dad like he was one of their own. We could not ask for a more talented or caring staff. They kept him dancing and laughing, and experienced for themselves the magnetic charm and gifts of Jerry Dennington. Although Dementia is a terrible and robbing disease, Jerry was still happy and present in so many ways and he was treated with the dignity that he deserved at Meridian.

Thank you for loving him.