Dennis Lee Parrett

Born to the late SMSgt Denver and Carol Caison Parrett, Dennis made his appearance in Santa Ana, California. But when he was only six days old, his parents loaded him into a shoebox and brought he and his two sisters to Elizabethtown. Even then, he knew Kentucky was the place he belonged, and despite moving to countless places throughout his childhood, Dennis always called himself a native Kentuckian.

Three more siblings joined the family, and after their father’s retirement from the military, they finally settled on a farm in Summit. It was here that Dennis’ love for the land began to grow.

Destined for a career in the military, Dennis considered nothing else until his high school teacher Hezzie Williams encouraged him to pursue agriculture instead. Mr. Williams helped Dennis secure a job on the working farm at the University of Kentucky, thus changing the trajectory of Dennis’ life, and everyone you’ll read about from here on out.

A proud alum of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, where Dennis was very active and won multiple outstanding young leader awards, Dennis used his degree to become an Agriculture Extension Agent at the Hardin County Extension Office, then transferred to Nelson County for the same position. He next took a position as a regional sales associate with Southern States, before being offered a chance to manage a small fertilizer business on Robinson St in Cecilia.

It was here that Dennis thrived. He surrounded himself with loyal employees and a supportive morning coffee gang, and together they grew that store into a trusted full service farm supply store, having a hand in the success of thousands of acres in Hardin and surrounding counties.

Because of his support from the Ag community, Dennis decided to put his name on the ballot for State Senator of the 10th district. He ran a successful race and spent 2011-2022 serving the people of Hardin and southwest Jefferson counties. Whether you agreed with or challenged Dennis politically, he was best known for his non-partisan approach in Frankfort, constantly saying, “a good bill is a good bill no matter what side it comes from.” He made countless friends on both sides of the aisle, and prided himself on the fact that many people would comment that they couldn’t tell what party he affiliated with. He ironically was elected to serve as Minority Whip of the democratic caucus. He was respected, valued, adored, and sometimes disliked, as every public servant is. Dennis was not a politician, and made sure to let everyone know that when he met them. He was a farmer, a business owner, a proud member of the Hall of Distinguished Alumni at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, a man with a fierce love of his church and community, and a public servant.

Most importantly, Dennis was a son, brother, husband, father, friend, and his favorite title - Granddaddy or G-Daddy depending on which grandkid you talk to.

In 1983, Dennis met Lisa Thomas, and he played so hard to get that she had to ask him out first. They spent their dating years at concerts, bowling alleys, wrestling rings, and on the farm- where a steady, strong love, respect and admiration grew. They married on September 29, 1984. They’ve spent the 15,226 days since building a life to be proud of. They cried together, had success together, traveled, and worked. In times where many couples would’ve fallen apart, Dennis and Lisa continued to band together to get through anything life threw their way- including a medically fragile daughter, the loss of parents, raising three teenage girls, the hard years of farming, cancer diagnoses, and finally Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Lisa won’t give herself the credit, but she walked this journey with Dennis with more strength and grace than most have ever had to show.

Dennis and Lisa traveled to all 50 states, many countries, many golf courses, antique stores, and backroads- but their favorite place to be was together at home. Lisa stood by Dennis’ side through any place, job or position he wanted to go, knowing full well he would always come back home to her.

Dennis was proud dad to zero sons like everyone thought he should want- and three daughters he very much adored. Devan, the least like him but the best to work beside him. Dayna, the most like him, and Kristen- or Kristen-opher Robin as he lovingly named her, his favorite (it’s ok. The other two knew.) He raised his girls with tough love, kind words, and notes of only word’s first letters they had to correctly decipher to know what he was trying to say. GLWT.

Every Sunday morning you could catch him working at his desk by green pool hall lamp, belting out his iPod playlist of Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, and his favorite- MMMBop by Hanson. He’d be there until 15 minutes before time to leave for church when he would get up, get ready, and then holler at his house full of girls about why on earth they weren’t ready yet also.

He was known at home for Frito Pie, hard hand squeezes during the Our Father, and a hard knock on the wall when a daughter had been using too much hot water. He also had a knack for knowing when his girls were lying about whether or not they’d walked their show goats.

He taught his family hard work, failure, success, that you spike when you can in family volleyball no matter who is on the other side, the CATS cheer, and who to root for in NASCAR.

Most importantly, Dennis showed his girls how they should be loved in how he loved their Mom. Anyone who was lucky enough to witness the normal, every day marriage between Dennis and Lisa can attest that it was one to strive for. He taught his daughters that husbands and fathers should be respectful, patient, providing, loving, and fun.

Because of that example, Devan and Dayna married two men who, while very different, mimic Dennis’ best qualities. They are strong, loyal, loving providers that Dennis couldn’t have hand picked any better for his daughters. He pretended not to like either of them, but he loved them, respected them deeply and appreciated their love for his girls.

Then the fun part came along. Avery Gaddie changed Dennis’ outlook on his political goals. He once had big plans for further offices, but quickly realized he liked being on the farm with a Minnie Mouse obsessed brown eyed girl much more. She then had a little brother, Hudson, who was the perfect cow feeding partner. Dennis had waited years for a little boy to tote along on the farm, and Hudson filled the role with joy. Soon after, four stair step Fentress granddaughters came along, and Dennis laughed every time he found out another was on the way. Rylee, Sutton, Grayson and Reagan brought relief to our family during the early years of YOAD. Even on the hard days, the girls could get a smile, a silly face, and a Donald Duck impression out of their G-Daddy. Dennis was overheard many, many times saying “if I’d have known grandchildren were this fun I’d have skipped the others and had them first.”

Dennis was a giant in both his home and community and his loss leaves a void that can only be filled if people set aside their differences and take an interest in making the world a better place. Dennis fully believed that that interest started by showing love in your homes, and then spilled over from there.

Dennis was welcomed, whole again, into heaven on Sunday, June 7, 2026, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. What a joyous promise of God’s mercy to know his brilliant mind is once again active and remembering, and his body able to electric slide again, for eternity.

Dennis is preceeded in death by his father SMSgt Denver Parrett, his father in law Sheriff Bobby Thomas, two brothers in law Will Felty and Richard Price, a nephew Jeffrey Thomas, and a niece Amy Thomas.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, 8 months and 9 days, Lisa Thomas Parrett, his mother Carol Parrett, his mother in law Martha Thomas, his daughters Devan, Dayna and Kristen, his sons in laws Marty and Ryan, and his grandchildren, Avery, Hudson, Rylee, Sutton, Grayson, and Reagan. Five siblings with their spouses, Debbie and Ron Baysinger, Donna and Mark Ricketts, Denise Parrett and Duane Smith, Darlene Felty, and Danny and Elaine Parrett, along with his Thomas family, Nicky and Linda, Larry and Becky, Greg and Lisa, Pam and Kevin Yates, and Tracie Price, many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Dennis was on too many boards and councils and had too many friends to even attempt to list. In Frankfort and in the fields, and everywhere in between- Dennis never went a place he didn’t see someone he knew. As a family, thank you for seeing the man we knew and loving him as we did. Whether you were a customer, a farmer who needed an opinion, a fellow UK alum, a fellow board member, an employee, a fellow elected official, a constituent, a schoolmate, or anyone else- Dennis felt your voice was valued and did his best to serve you well in his time here on earth. Thank you for allowing him each of those honors.

A special thank you to the entire staff of Cooper Trail Senior Living and Hospice of Nelson County for loving the Dennis most never met. Most especially to Lara, Casey, Amanda, Angela, the big girl Grayson, and the other Elizabeth Lisa for your genuine kindness and care to Dennis and our entire family during the worst period of our lives.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or your local hospice organization. Expressions of sympathy can be modeled in your actions from here on out. To honor Dennis best, go home and love your family, write down a favorite memory for them to read one day when you’re gone, have a real, civil, face to face conversation with someone you disagree with politically, and eat something for dinner that supports a local farmer. We can think of no better way to honor a man who spent his life modeling this behavior.

Visitation for Dennis will be Saturday, June 13 from 12:00 - 6:00 pm and Sunday, June 14 from 1:00 - 6:00 pm at Brown Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 11:00 am Monday, June 15 at St John the Baptist Catholic Church.