Dennis Harkness

Dennis Lee Harkness, age 67, passed away at home on February 7, 2016 after a two-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease). He was born on September 23, 1948 to Grant Dwayne and Hazel Stahl Harkness in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management.

He married Cheryl Jansson Harkness in the Salt Lake Temple on January 8, 1985. They have one daughter, Kellie Nicole Harkness.

Denny Served 23 years of active duty in the military, first in the National Guard as a recruiter, and then in the Army as a Guidance Counselor. He loved his country, his family, and his church. He served in many callings over the years. His most recent calling was with his wife as Ordinance Workers in the Salt Lake Temple, a calling they held for seven years.

He worked for Class-1 Construction building log homes, as well as installing seats in the Conference Center and many Temples. His last employment was a court liaison with the Salt Lake City Justice Court for Assessment & Referral Services (University of Utah).

He was passionate about scuba diving and taught scuba classes for over 30 years. He worked patiently with a few of his extended family members to get them certified. He spent many vacations diving with friends and family in the beautiful waters of Mexico. Anyone who was lucky enough to have been on one of these diving trips will have fond memories to last a life time.

Denny was well versed in almost every topic imaginable. He was kind and gentle and had a soft spot for children. Everybody loved Uncle Denny.

He is survived by his wife, daughter and brother Richard (Wendy), as well as numerous extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be Thursday, February 11, 2016, at 11:00 am in the Olympus 3rd Ward chapel, located at 4100 S. Camille St. (2480 E.) with a viewing at the chapel on Wednesday evening from 6-8:00 pm, and again one hour prior to the funeral (9:30-10:45 am). Interment Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.