Obituary

Wayne Eugene Denton, age 77, died on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 due to COVID complications. Born in Houston, Texas, on March 19, 1943, Wayne was the fourth child of Walter and Elva (Kelly) Denton. He grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 1965, he graduated from TCU and was commissioned into the Transportation Corp of the US Air Force. He served on active duty in Florida and Vietnam before switching to the Reserves and attending the University of Texas School of Law. After graduating in 1972, he served as a prosecutor in Ft. Worth. Wayne moved back to Austin and, in 1974, he married his late wife Sarah “Sally” Emma (Phillips) Denton. He spent most of his career at the Texas Board of Law Examiners. In 1990, Wayne retired from the US Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in the JAG Corp. On the civilian side, he eventually transitioned to the National Board of Law Examiners in Chicago and then Wisconsin. He retired in 2001. Sally passed away in 2012 and, in 2015, Wayne married his current wife, Marilyn Vanderhoof of Madison, Wisconsin. The two spent the last several years summering in Wisconsin and wintering in Austin.

Wayne and Sally had two children, Phil and Sam. Wayne took great pleasure in being a father and, later, a grandfather. He taught his children his love of reading, current events, selfless service, and love of country. Wayne was actively involved in South Austin Kiwanis.

Wayne had a penchant for always knowing his location and religiously kept tabs on cheap gas, the weather, and Sunday funnies. If you tickled his funny bone just right, he’d let out deep belly laughs that were amazing, and so boisterous and lengthy that they could even turn worrisome. He’ll be dearly missed.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Elva (Kelly) Denton, and wife Sally Denton. He is survived by his loving wife Marilyn; two children, Phil and wife Jodi Denton, and Sam and wife Kristen Denton; five grandchildren; sister Patricia (Denton) Allen of Lake Charles, Louisiana; brother Walter Vernon Denton, Jr., and his wife Peggy, of Lake Charles, Louisiana; sister Janelle (Denton) Greenhow of Burleson, TX; several nieces and nephews; and three dogs.

Wayne will be buried at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery next to Sally. While Wayne’s children and wife treasure all family and friends, to help prevent the spread of COVID, in person services will be limited to his children and wife. Funeral services and burial will be available for viewing beginning the afternoon of Saturday, December 12, 2020 and details to do so are available at: sites.google.com/view/waynedenton. The family and/or funeral home will provide the location of the gravesite to anyone who wishes to pay their respects after the conclusion of the burial, but would urge those who wish to do so to make their sojourn throughout the following week, and not to gather in groups outside of those with whom they live.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of the Baylor Scott & White Medical Centers in Lakeway and Round Rock for their loving care while treating Wayne. For those who wish to do so, you may leave pictures, stories, and memories at: sites.google.com/view/waynedenton. In place of flowers or gifts, please make donations to Kiwanis International or Student Need-Based Scholarships at TCU.