David Dennis passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024 at the age of 82. He was a lifelong resident of Maxwell.
Dave was preceded in his death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Penny Dennis, who passed in 2022; his parents Alonzo Glenn and Mary Elizabeth Dennis (Gibson); his brother Glenn Dennis; sister Doris Penning and his Daughter-In-Law Stephanie Dennis. He is survived by his two children William (Beth) Dennis; Lisi (Bobby Hubbell) Dennis-Hubbell; his sister Phyllis (Steve) Penniman. Known as “Papa Dave”, he also leaves behind grandchildren Jordan (Kassie Oliver) Dennis, Matt Ashman, Jack Fouts, Kiersten Fouts, Ellie Dennis, Trevor Dennis and Vaughn Fouts and great-grandchildren Aria, Junie and Riley Dennis. He also had many cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved and adored very much.
At a young age, David was stricken with Polio. He did not let this affliction deter him from leading an active and fulfilling life. As a child he enjoyed hunting with his dad, uncles and cousins and he was active in the Maxwell FFA in high school. After meeting Penny at Chico State, the two of them settled in Maxwell where Dave joined the family operation of rice farming and they raised their two kids, Bill and Lisi. Dave enjoyed trying new farming ventures and expanded to growing onions and vine seeds. He eventually started a vine seed Washing & Drying business in addition to his daily farming activities. David cared about his community and ran for Dist. 4 Colusa County Supervisor in 1992. He was also a member of the Maxwell School Board for many years.
David’s passions included family, farming, hunting, politics and sailing. Bill and Lisi, fondly remember family sailing trips that took them to Lake Oroville, Lake Tahoe, the Puget Sound and Hawaii. In 1988, Dave entered the Singlehanded Sailing Society Transpac race whereby he sailed from San Francisco to Hawaii by himself on a Hawkfarm 28’ sailboat; he completed the race in 16 days. One of the trips on Dave and Penny’s bucket list was to sail around the Tahitian Islands, which they did in 2010. He and Penny were also very involved in the Colusa County Master Gardeners Program for many years. Together they created a pumpkin patch project for the young students at Maxwell Elementary.
Bill and Lisi ask that, in lieu of flowers, Donations may be made in memory of David to the Colusa County Master Gardeners Fund: UCCE Colusa County; 100 Sunrise Blvd, Ste E.; Colusa, CA 95932 or Maxwell Fire Protection District: P.O. Box 651, Maxwell, CA 95955