"Sound the trumpet..."

Usually, most little girls love their daddies. I am no exception. My father, though human with faults, was a wonderful man. I have always been very proud of him. He lived as a man of integrity, hard work, loyalty, and dedicated to excellence.

My sons expressed thoughts of my dad, their 'Pappy', as he was known to many, as well as anyone could.

From David, as posted on his blog:

"February the 6th at 6:25pm my Pappy went home. He is walking with Jesus and will never worry about another pacemaker replacement. I just wanted to tell you a tad bit about him...

Kenneth Dennison was born March 23^rd, 1926, inside what is now Mammoth Cave National Park. He was adopted, and raised in poverty. He collected ginseng in the park and trapped foxes for money so his family could buy clothes. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade to work in a labor camp, and later passed his GED after only a years worth of study. He served in World War II, held the line at the Battle of the Bulge, rescued his brother from a POW camp, provided for two orphans, and returned a hero. Stateside he married, raised a family, while caring for his brother; reorganized and revolutionized the Job Corps program, made several presentations in Washington, DC to the labor department, was placed over inspections and problem solving for all the Job Corps; he even had a senator on speed dial. Kenneth Dennison was a church deacon, elder, teacher, camp speaker, and a mighty fine singer. The man's life reads like a movie; yet none of his many accomplishments compare to one thing. While his given name was Kenneth Dennison, to most of us he was known simply as 'Pappy'; he is my Pappy, and my hero.

A simple, unwavering, and powerful love for God, his family, a job well done, and all of those around him, make up the hallmark of Pappy's life and that is what he will be remembered for. Somehow, with all the greatness in his life, Pappy was a simple family man, full of integrity and an undeniable love for God.

That is my Pappy."

Kenneth Dennison 1926-2012

My oldest son, Jon, rewrote a poem to reflect his grandfather:

"For many years

This man has stood the watch.

In his country's hour of need

A soldier stood the watch.

In his Father's heavenly call

a man of God stood the watch.

In good times and bad

And sometimes to our consternation

Still my Grandfather stood the watch.

Today we are here to say

Kenneth Dennison, you've been father,

grandfather, soldier, man of God,

and now it's time,

The watch stands relieved,

Relieved by those you have trained, guided, and loved.

Pappy, you are relieved...

We have the watch.

Angels in heaven, sound the trumpet...

A soldier's watch is done,

And my Pappy is coming home."

Enter your rest, and the joy of eternity in the glory and presence of your Lord and King! 

I love you, Daddy.

"When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory!"