Howard K. Denton

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Mr. Howard K. Denton passed away March 24, 2011, at his Farmington residence at the age of 89 years, 5 months & 11 days. Howard was born Oct. 13, 1921, in Leadwood, MO., & was the son of Walter F. Denton & Frieda 'Skaggs' Denton. Also preceding was a son-in-law, Dennis Lee Ellis.

Howard graduated from Leadwood HS in 1939; attended SEMO State Univ., Cape Girardeau until the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, when he enlisted in the US Navy. He married Ruth Maurer in June 1942, while stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station. After WWII, he moved to Farmington & opened Howard's Photography Studio until he sold the business to Reginald Spence. He moved his family to Denver, CO., until as a member of the US Naval Reserve Forces, he was called back to service. Howard served in many capacities in the US Navy, including 2 tours of duty in Antartica providing support for US scientists there; & at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. he served at the NATO Headquarters in Naples, Italy, and worked with the British Royal Air Force in London, England. Howard retired from the military in 1966, & moved his famly back to Farmington. After his Navy retirement, Howard was Administrator of Medical Lodge; worked for Unidynamics in Fredericktown and owned & operated the 214 Package Liquor Store in Farmington. At one time, Howard was active in the Jr. Chamber of Commerce & the Kiwanis Club. He was a longtime, faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Farmington; LePere-McCallister American Legion Post #416 & Norman L. Rigdon VFW Post #5896.

Survivors Include: his wife of 68 years, Ruth 'Maurer' Denton, of Farmington. 3 Daughters: Karen Ellis, of St. Louis; Anita (& Steve) Moore, of St. Louis and Diane (& Roger) Hitson, of Farmington. One son, Karl (& Lisa) Denton, of Bozeman, MT. 9 Grandchildren: Matthew Ellis, of Denver, CO; Lauren (& Nate) Howard, of Indianapolis, IN; Sarah Moore, of Denver, CO; Kate (& Ryan) Robbins, of London, England; Jerad Denton, of Denver, CO; Cole Denton, of Toledo, OH; John Hitson, Ted Hitson & William Hitson, of Farmington. 2 Great-Grandchildren: Natalie & William Howard, of Indianapolis, IN.

Visitation Friday, 5-8 p.m. with a joint American Legion/VFW Service @ 6:45, followed by Rosary @ 7 pm. Visitation resumes Saturday, 6:30 - 10 a.m.

Funeral Mass : Saturday, 11:00 a.m., March 26, 2011

at : St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Fr. James Dyer officiating.

Burial with Military Honors at : New Calvary Cemetery, Farmington

Memorials : St. Joseph Catholic School, Farmington.