Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, at First Baptist Church Temple. A committal service will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the church.
Denton was a graduate of Mesquite High School where he lettered in Track and Field. After high school he attended Baylor University in Waco where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. He continued his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity. He earned a Master of Theology at Bright Divinity School. While at Baylor University he met the love of his life Madalyn Preston. They were married on June 9, 1950. The couple celebrated their 75th anniversary this past June.
Denton served in several churches – Burleson, Wharton, Paradise, Royce City and in Galveston. He was appointed as Baptist Hospital Chaplain at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1965 where he served for 32 years.
Denton and Madalyn relocated to Temple, Texas in 2000 to be closer to grandchildren. He started a hospital ministry program at King’s Daughters Hospital and was a volunteer Chaplain at Park Place Manor Long Term Care Facility in Belton.
Denton was preceded in death by his parents Sydney Carl and Edna Mae Bassett; and his sister Henrietta Elizabeth Bassett.
He is survived by his wife Madalyn, three children – Lynette Spivey and husband Steve, Nancy Eaton and husband Brent, and son James Bassett and wife Amy. Grandchildren – Kathryn Gabhart and husband Jason, Scott Spivey and wife Brandy, Aaron Eaton and wife Becca, Meredith McAfee and husband Daniel, Amber Bassett and fiancé Austin Sims, and Rachel Laubrich and husband Caleb, and nine great grandchildren.
Denton found joy in every day even in the face of extreme physical adversity.
He never met a stranger. He was a friend to all.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the music ministry at FBC of Temple.
