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Dennis Ray Early
April 9. 2011
Dennis Ray Early, of Lone Jack, MO, was born August 7, 1946, in Odessa, Missouri, to Oscar and Helen Tye Early. He went to be with his Lord and Saviour on April 5, 2011.
He attended Liberty Elementary, a one room school in Johnson County, Missouri, where his older sister, Jane Early was his first grade teacher. Dennis attended 7th and 8th grade at Lone Jack and High School at Holden, graduating in 1964. As a junior in high school he was selected to attend Missouri Boys State. He received B.S. degrees in Industrial Technical Education in 1969 from Central Missouri State College. In 1979 he completed his mater's degree in Industrial Vocational Technical Education from CMSU.
He taught in Lee's Summit School District for 34 years, receiving many honors over his teaching career, including the Missouri Industrial Technology Educator district and state High School Teacher of the Year, Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce, Excellence in Teaching Award, Lee's Summit School District Expect the Best Award.
Dennis has a Class B coaching certification in trapshooting and sponsored and coached a Trapshooting Team at Lee's Summit High School, winning nine Missouri State and one ATA National Championship. He was still serving in this capacity at the time of death.
Dennis was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, Lee's Summit Education Association, Missouri Vocational Education Association, Missouri Trade and Technical Association, Suburban Kansas City Industrial Education Association and a Lifetime ATA and MTA member. As a member and deacon of the Lone Jack Baptist Church, Dennis served in numerous capacities and worked in the Awana Ministry for several years. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Shiners and the Holden Masonic Lodge.
On August 19, 1967, Dennis wed the love of his life, Sharon M. Baker, and they enjoyed forty-three wonderful years together. Dennis loved to farm and throughout his teenage and adult life he raised crops and cattle. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapshooting, and riding his motorcycle. He was a loving and giving person, which is reflected in his wish to be an organ donor. This wish has been honored and numerous lives have been touched by his gift. Dennis was preceded in death by his cherished son, Andrew Michael Early in 1994. Also preceding him in death were his parents, father-in-law, Basil Baker and brother-in-law, Dewey Baker.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, his sister Jane Merrill (Don), Pat Rymer (Tom), brother Duane Early (Martha), mother-in-law, Leta Baker, sister–in-law Shirla Cesari (Dennis), Sandy Baker, brother-in-law, Dale Baker, nieces and nephews: Sherry Wilson, Debbie Cox, Donna Gwodz, Darrell Rymer, Bruce Rymer, Brenda Webb, Harold Early, Howard Early, Kristy Conover, Karen Smarr, Jason Beckner, Tara Espinoza, Andrea Atkins, Cameron Baker, and twenty-six great nieces and nephews. Special friends, Warren and Kleda Pinson, Julie, Joyce, Morgan and Paige and a host of loved ones.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Andy Early Scholarship Fund at the Lee's Summit Educational Foundation, 301 NE Tudor Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64086.
Gifts can also be made online at: http://lsedfoundation.com, click on Donate Now and Scholarship Funds. For more information, call 816-986-1015.
Funeral Services held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2011, at First Baptist Church of Lee's Summit, 2 NE Douglas, Lee's Summit, MO 64063. Visitation was prior from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Elm Springs Cemetery, Kingsville, MO.
(Arr.: Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd St., Lee's Summit, MO, 816-524-3700.)
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