Dennis Allen Whittington

It is with heavy hearts that we regretfully announce the death of Dennis Allen Whittington “Blue Feather”, 77 of Hillsboro, Texas.  He passed away the day before his 78th birthday in his home after a difficult battle with Type 2 diabetes.  Memorial will be held at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro, Texas at 2:00 pm on Thursday, February 16.  There will be a reception at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hillsboro following the farewell service.

Dennis was born on February 3, 1945, in Hillsboro, Texas, to Oscar Elvoyd Whittington and Frances Marie Earl Whittington.  He grew up in Hillsboro and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1963 where he was an active member of the FFA.  He then attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville until he landed a job with Morton Foods in Dallas in the accounting office.  He met his future wife at this time and married Jean Ellen Evans in Hillsboro in 1970.  Together they welcomed his only child, Susan Denise, into the world in 1975.  In 1974, he bought the Posey Shoppe in Irving, Tx and supplied decorative flowers and plants to the Metroplex until 1984 when he returned to Hillsboro with his family to operate his parents’ business, the Country Market.  He ran the Country Market for over twenty-five years and enjoyed the many memories and customers that came through the doors there.  His biggest fan and only grandchild, Zoie Carin Dennison, was born in 1999 and gave him great joy through the rest of his life.

Dennis played basketball throughout his life and was a die-hard fan of the Dallas Cowboys.  He loved agriculture and raising cattle and other animals. Gardening gave him much pride and happiness. Dennis was very active in community government and school programs, always doing his best to make activities accessible and enjoyable for all involved.  He was a member of the Irving Jaycees and held board positions in local government.  Dennis was interested in Native American culture and the self-sustaining materials they produced for survival, such as chipped stone tools and pottery.  He was a very spiritual soul and shared his love of life with everyone he met.

Mr. Whittington was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Dennis is survived by his daughter, Susan Dennison, and granddaughter, Zoie Dennison, of Temple, Texas; his ex-wife, Jean Whittington of Hillsboro, Texas; his uncle, Lloyd Porter of Hillsboro, Texas; many cousins throughout Texas; and scores of friends and peaceful souls across the nation.