Dennis Moreland Obituary and Funeral

 

From: Monica Moreland monicaannette@hotmail.com Dennis Moreland Obituary and Funeral

Dennis Lee Moreland, 73, of Independence, MO, peacefully passed away at his home on March 2, 2023, surrounded by his family. Dennis was born the oldest son of Darrell and Dorothy Moreland on March 23, 1949, in Vancouver, WA. Dennis grew up with his two younger brothers, Mike and Gary, in a loving, competitive home where his father was pastor of the RLDS church in Vancouver. He graduated from Fort Vancouver High School in 1967, spent a couple years at Clark College before moving out to Lamoni, IA, to attend Graceland College (now University), where he graduated in 1971 with a degree in business. During that time, he met and later married Nancy Sylvester in August 1971. They lived in Seattle, where they welcomed their son, Jeff, and then they moved to Deer Park, TX, where they were blessed with two daughters, Dianne and Monica. Later in 1987, they gathered to Independence, MO, for church purposes and to be closer to family. Church was very important to Dennis throughout his life, and he was ordained a deacon at age 16, a priest at 18, and an elder in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1982. He later served as an elder at South Crysler Restoration Branch. At the age of 10, Dennis started working with his grandfather, Evangelist Patriarch Paul Fishel, building houses, campgrounds, and churches, and this led him into a 45-year career in construction. He worked on large multi-million-dollar plants, installing freezer or cooling cases in grocery stores, and on individual homes for friends and family. He used his construction background to maintain his 7 rental properties in Independence as a landlord for over 20 years. One of the highlights of his career was when he was superintendent over 150 men that were constructing a Borden’s Ice Cream plant in Houston, TX. Dennis’ three kids helped him reroof houses and finish basements, instilling in them a solid work ethic, doing the job right the first time, meeting deadlines, and staying under budget. Growing up, Dennis loved to play sports, especially baseball and football. For the past 61 years, Dennis has held the record for most consecutive home runs in his little league as he smashed 3 homeruns over the fence at the age of 12 during the course of 2 games. He was so excited that his father could see him play for the first time that he scored the first home run over the scoreboard in center field. Dennis’ love for sports continued into adulthood as he played on a men’s softball team and a co-ed volleyball team. His volleyball team won the league or got runner-up every year because their secret was that spouses were not allowed to play next to each other. The family loved to go camping, and Dennis was champion of the greased watermelon competition during several camping trips because he would sneak the watermelon between his legs and look around while making his way to the side of the pool. Dennis passed on his competitive spirit to all three of his children and his nine grandchildren. Dennis was a supportive father that attended football games, soccer games, band performances, and gymnastics meets all over the country, and he has loved watching his grandchildren play sports, perform in various plays, preach sermons, and put on clogging exhibitions. Every Christmas, Dennis made the world’s best peanut brittle that brought joy to so many who were lucky enough for a bag. Dennis is preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Ruby Fishel and Don and Nellie Moreland; his parents, Darrell and Dorothy Moreland; and his brother, Mike Moreland, just last September. He is survived by his son Jeff and wife Mandy, his daughter Dianne and her husband Ryan, and his daughter Monica. Dennis took great pride in his nine grandchildren: Maverick, Charlton, Hadassah, Kennedy Claire, Zurich, Laini, Troy, Lily Kate, and Bristol. Dennis is also survived by his brother, Gary Moreland. There will be a celebration of life for Dennis at South Crysler Restoration Branch, 16101 Salisbury Road, Independence MO 64050, on May 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. There will also be another service held at the Vancouver Restoration Branch in Vancouver, WA, on June 17, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with lunch served afterward. Dennis will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his work ethic, his competitive spirit, his delicious peanut brittle, and his love for the Lord Jesus Christ.