Dennis Tarlton

Dennis Wayne Tarlton, 74, left his earthly body on Monday, November 6th following a brief but serious illness. He fought valiantly till the end for his family, but his body was weary and needed eternal rest, which he entered into peacefully with his two children by his side.

Dennis was the oldest of three brothers, born to Homer and Ruth Tarlton in 1949. The brothers shared many fun stories of “boy adventures” from their years growing up together. He was a lover of all sports growing up and into his adulthood. He spent seasons coaching both of his children in baseball and basketball and cheered on the Tar Heels every chance he could. Dennis spent his career in manufacturing and was well-respected among his peers for his knowledge of machinery and materials sourcing.

Dennis spied the love of his life on a school bus one Friday afternoon – a bus he normally wouldn’t have been on but circumstance put him there as he was going home with one of his best buddies. He soon found out her name was Becky and deemed her the prettiest brunette at Forest Hills High School. They married in 1968 and spent 53 years together as an embodiment of love and commitment until her passing in 2021, raising their children and loving beyond measure their grandchildren.

Dennis had an infectious laugh and a wicked sense of humor. He was generous to a fault and offered bright eyes and a smile to all those he encountered. He planned his lunch meal while eating breakfast and his dinner meal while eating lunch. He was a lover of Becky’s cooking. While he was a wonderful father and gave everything to his children’s happiness and success, he excelled in the role of grandpa – lovingly known by his eight grandchildren as “PawPaw.”

Dennis is survived by his two children, Keri Tarlton Bennington, and her husband, Andrew, and Jeffrey Wayne Tarlton, and his wife, Amanda. He is survived by his brothers, Roger Tarlton and his wife, Pam, and Tony Tarlton and his wife, Cathy.

His eight grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, will miss him beyond measure: Luke Tarlton, Ava Tarlton, Caroline Bennington, Jack Bennington, Hannah Tarlton, Sadie Tarlton, Della Tarlton, and Vander Tarlton.

The family will receive friends from 10am until 11am on November 10th, 2023 at McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe. A Celebration of Life service will be held in The Colonial Chapel at 11:00am. Interment will follow in Lakeland Memorial Park.

His family celebrates a life that yielded so much happiness to those who loved him and those he loved.

McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe is honored to serve the Tarlton family.