Earl Denny

Earl E. Denny age 75, passed away at his home in Tyro, Kansas on Saturday, November 6, 2021, with his family at his side.

Earl was born on July 25, 1946, Independence, Kansas to Orin and Maggie (Edens) Denny.  Earl attended grade school at Ringo, Tyro and Wayside.  He attended high school in Coffeyville, graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School.  He obtained his associates degree at NEO in Miami, Oklahoma and then transferred to OSU in Stillwater where he received two bachelor’s degrees.

While traveling back from Florida in August of 1969 Earl married his best friend, Michelle McAtee in Folkston, Georgia.  On August 9th of 2021 the couple celebrated 52 years of marriage.  They were friends long before their courtship, they have truly taken their vows very serious and were there for each other through richer or poorer and in sickness and in health. The couple were blessed with 3 children, William “Bill”, Stephanie, and Dorothy.

Earl was a farmer and rancher all his life.  His dad, Orin worked in the oil fields and Earl worked beside him in his youth and after college returned as a young adult to the oil industry working at Redi-Pump.  Earl was employed at Funk Manufacturing now known as John Deere for 10 years before opening his own business.  Going back to his love for agriculture, Earl opened The Feed Shed in Tyro offering all types of grains and feed for livestock and pets.  He then transitioned to Ty-Kan Inc. a Dog Food distributorship in four states until his Michelle was transferred to Kennett Missouri with Emmerson.  Earl also found employment with Emmerson in Kennett until they both retired. Retirement wasn’t suiting Earl well, so he went to work or Eagle Security, Michelle also started working with him, during the 2007 flood in Coffeyville. He continued to work for several years. When he did finally retire, his favorite part of retirement was Grandpa’s Daycare!!!

Earl has always been a family man; he was very active with his own children in 4H and was the 4H Beef Leader for years when his children were active and has played an active role with as his grandchildren too. His hobbies also involve being outdoors, he truly enjoyed hunting, fishing, and especially spending time with his family.

Earl shared his love, passions and knowledge with his family and they will continue to pass on his legacy, starting with his wife, Michelle of the home; children William “Bill” Denny and his wife Kathianne, Stephanie  and her husband Michael Simmons; grandchildren, Dakota and Alyssa Denny, Mitchell Simmons, Riley and Shay Denny, Amanda Denny, Gregory and Allison Simmons, Aaron and Tabby Simmons, Maggie Simmons; great-grandchild, Dorothy Ann Denny; and sister, Dorothy (Dot) Berger. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Dorothy Ann Denny; brother Edward Emery Denny and sister, Emma Maude Ellison.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021, at 1pm at Fawn Creek Cemetery near Tyro, Kansas.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 11, 2021, from 6 to 8pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave, Coffeyville, KS.  The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the family to help defray expenses or to Montgomery County 4H and may be left in care of the chapel.  To leave an online message of condolence or share a memory visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com