Dennis Puckett

Dennis Puckett, 91, of Edgewood, New Mexico, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home on August 13, 2024.

Dennis was born on December 8, 1932, in Tarpon, Virginia, to Leonard E. Puckett and Maude Ellen Owens Puckett. He was the third of nine siblings. After graduating from Haysi High School in 1951, Dennis enlisted in the United States Air Force and entered active duty in 1952. He was a decorated military veteran who honorably served 22 years, six months, and one day after completing his basic training in Texas. Dennis was stationed in England, where he met the love of his life, Sylvia Anne Birney. They were married on December 4, 1954, in High Wycombe, England, and celebrated nearly 52 years of marriage. They lived in England, California, Germany, Massachusetts, North Africa, Montana, Ohio, and Colorado, seeing parts of the country and world many could only dream about at the time. He was a long-time resident of Fort Collins, Colorado (28 years) and had resided near his daughter in Edgewood, New Mexico, since 2015. 

After retiring from the Air Force in 1974, Dennis embarked on a new chapter of his life. He worked at Searle Pharmaceuticals in England before returning to the United States in 1975. Settling in Dayton, Ohio, he pursued his interest in electrical engineering and earned an associate's degree. He began a second career manufacturing microelectronic chips at NCR in Dayton, Ohio, and Fort Collins, Colorado. Outside of work, Dennis was a man of many interests. He enjoyed woodworking, home renovations, gardening, walking, stargazing, bird watching, studying the weather, and playing games with family and friends. He also had a passion for solving Sudoku puzzles and playing solitaire.

While Dennis was known for being strict, demanding, and unyielding, for many, this was perceived as a facade to the sarcastic, entertaining, witty, loveable, thoughtful, and sometimes cantankerous character within. His children will always lovingly remember him telling us he was not always right, but he was never wrong! To all, he was a man of few words, laid back, and quiet - a true gentleman. He had such a great, loving heart for everyone he met, never missed a birthday, and always made the most caring and beautiful birthday cards. He was the ultimate grandfather, great- grandfather, neighbor, and loving, quiet friend. His memory will be cherished always. He will be forever and always in our hearts.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Anne Birney; his parents, Leonard and Maude Owens Puckett; his brothers, Garlie Avis Puckett, Darrell Puckett, and Neal Puckett; his sister Lois Puckett Yates, and his grandson Thomas M. Puckett. He is survived by children Elizabeth Anne Puckett Donnelly (Mathew), Stephen R. Puckett (Cathy), and Philip B. Puckett (Alicia); his eight grandchildren Stephen J. Puckett (Nicki), David A. Donnelly (Juels), Rachael C. Puckett, Kristina M. Alvarez (Fernando), Michael J. Puckett (Tami), Brittany E. Drier (Garrett), Amanda Puckett, and James Donnelly (Claudia); three great-grandchildren, London E. Puckett, Owen Puckett, and Logan M. Donnelly; four siblings, Earl W. Puckett (Sandy), Daphne C. Miller (Tom), Joseph Puckett, and Nina J. Staub (Bob) and many nieces and nephews, and countless friends throughout California, Colorado, Ohio, New Mexico, Texas, and England. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Roddy Birney (Sue), and several nephews in England.