David Marshall Denton

DAVID MARSHALL DENTON David Marshall Denton was born I Neosho, Mo. on July 3, 1917. He passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos on August 10, 2004. Marshall was the only child of David L. Denton and Stella Marshall Denton. When he was nine months old, the family left Neosho and came to Bayfield, Colo., where they bought a small farm. Marshall attended a country school about two miles from home until he was ready for fourth grade. Because of his mother’s health, they moved to the dry climate of Arizona. Hid dad found work, and they rented a house in Tempe. Marshall went to a training school on the college campus. The heat of summer was a challenge, and several summers they came back to the farm. Marshall stayed with friends and continued through school and graduated from Tempe High in 1935. Now he could come back and help on the farm. In 1936, he got a job working on the Fort Lewis Campus at Hesperus. He made thirty cents an hour, enough to pay for his college education. It was there he met his future wife, Frances Jacobson. After three years at Fort Lewis, Marshall got a job teaching at the Aztec School south of Cortez. The next year he taught at the school where he had started first grade. In the following summer, Marshall, with a friend, went to California to find work. He was there for several months but the war was looming and Marshall knew he would have to serve, so he enlisted in the Army. He was assigned and trained for the Signal Corp and was sent to the European theatre of action. Marshall was in England, Germany, Belgium, and France for four years until the war ended and he was honorably discharged. Upon his return, Marshall and Frances were married. They decided to stay in Cortez where they spent nearly sixty years of married life. Marshall began working for an electric company named Highland Utilities, who later became Empire Electric. After 21 years of employment with Empire Electric he resigned. A great opportunity had come Marshall’s way. Three local doctors, Drs. Parmley, Gardner, and Donesky had asked him to set up a clinic. Marshall then established Cortez Medical, where he worked for three years. When he felt the Clinic was functioning well and able to serve the community, Marshall went to work as the Montezuma County Planner. He later became the county administrator for both Montezuma and Dolores Counties. He retired from the county after ten years. Marshall served several terms on the Cortez City Council, with two terms as Mayor. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce, and was honored as Citizen of the Year in 1981 for his many years of community service to the Montelores area. He belonged to the Lions Club and was secretary the entire time. It was during that period that the local Lions Club built the swimming pool, started the first library at City Hall, and were the founders of the original Southwest Memorial Hospital. Marshall became Lions District Governor and he and Frances attended several international conventions. He eventually became an International Counselor. Marshall also belonged to the Elks and was secretary for the length of time he was associated with them. He was a member of the Toastmaster Club, VFW, Club 20, and the Cortez Red Coats (an organization that acted as ambassadors on behalf of the Cortez citizens). Playing golf was a favorite pastime of Marshall’s. He played until he was unable to play any longer. He enjoyed the outdoors, the mountains, fishing, hunting, and gathering fireplace wood. He loved working in the yard and was especially proud of his rose garden. He liked woodworking and enjoyed it as long as he was able. Marshall was a long-time devoted member of the First United Methodist Church. He was always happy to serve in any way he could, and faithfully attended services. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was very sociable. He loved to be with people and he enjoyed his many friends. In spite of the passion he held for community service, his first and foremost role was that of a family man. He returned from the war intent on providing complete security for the family he planned. He did just that. Marshall was devoted to Frances with all of his heart to the very end, and never stopped seeing the beautiful young girl he fell in love with. His three children were truly his pride and joy. He lived every joy and every sorrow right along with them, from the smallest disappointment to the greatest loss; from the smallest success, to the publicly celebrated ones. He loved nothing better than presiding over some family function, just looking at everyone and smiling, knowing they were his real accomplishment. David Marshall Denton was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law, Joe; and infant grandson, Brian. He leaves in passing his wife, Frances; his son, Kenneth Denton and wife, Annette; and his daughters, Marsha Cummins, and Denise Maness and husband, Marion. He also leaves a granddaughter, Carla Denton; and four grandsons, Jeffrey Denton, David Cummins, Timothy Maness, and Sean Maness. Though he will be sorely missed, he leaves behind wonderful memories and a life well lived. Marshall’s services were held on Friday, August 13 at the Cortez First United Methodist Church.