Donald (“Don”) Dennis was born in Atwood, Colorado, but moved to Parsons, KS to live with his grandparents during World War II while his mother worked in a bomb factory and his adopted father fought in the military.
The family moved to Enid in 1945, after the war was over. In 1946, Don’s father, Fred Dennis, opened Dennis Plumbing at the location it still exists. Don attended Enid High School, and volunteered for the Navy during Vietnam. He served for four years on the Navy Destroyer, Floyd B. Parks, which operated in the Pacific Ocean during the war. Upon finishing his service, he returned to work in the family business.
Since returning, Don devoted himself to quietly working and serving in the community. He is a longtime member of the local Masonic Lodge and Shriner’s organization where he has personally sponsored dozens of families to be able to go to a Shrine Hospital for treatment. As a Shriner, he was known for volunteering to help at all their projects, including the old Shrine Rodeo, usually behind the scenes, and helping make them successful.
Don has two children, Riley Dennis, who has also joined him in the family business, and Dawna Capaldi, who is starting a Vodka Distillery in Belize. He is impatiently waiting for grandchildren. He married his wife Cheryl in 2002 and they enjoy going to the lake, working at the farm and traveling to attend Navy reunions of the Floyd B. Parks around the U.S.
Riley said “My dad has great integrity, is a hard worker, dependable and I’ve seen him help people my whole life. Anything he does he goes all out. He’s just a really good dad and good person.” And for that, he’s this month’s Local Legend.
