Dennis Daniels, 77, of Rainier, Oregon passed away peacefully on Aug. 25, 2023, after a short battle with cancer.
Dennis was born on April 16, 1946, to Lester and Minnie McAuley Daniels Cunningham in Bruce, Wisconsin. When Dennis was six months old, his family moved from Bruce, Wisconsin to Aberdeen, Washington due to his father’s health. Aberdeen is where Dennis would reside for years to come.
In 1964, Dennis graduated from Aberdeen High School. After a short while at Grays Harbor College, he felt that he wanted to do something different. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1965. Dennis achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant while enlisted. He felt good about that and moved to Munitions Specialist Supervisor before finishing his tour. He was discharged on March 25, 1969.
In 1969, Dennis married Susan Aronson. He would become father to, and raise, two sons that he loved very dearly, Craig and Jason. Both sons have many fond memories of their father. His son Craig picked up his love of baseball from his Dad. Dennis also volunteered as a coach to have time with his son, both in his Peewee and Little League baseball teams. Both sons loved every chance they had to be able to go snow skiing with their Dad.
In 1970, Dennis started his job at the Aberdeen Fire Department. He served his community as a firefighter up until 1998, a total of over 27 years. His final position in the department was as a Battalion Chief. When he was off duty at the fire department, he enjoyed being on a softball team with colleagues and friends. They played not only locally but also in many tournaments where they got to travel to different parts of the state.
After his first marriage ended, Dennis later met the love of his life, Arlene Faye (Slape) in 1980. They became great friends, which eventually evolved into a romantic relationship. Dennis and Arlene dated for about five years before marrying on March 28, 1987. Shortly after retirement, in 2000, they relocated to Rainier, Oregon to be near to and thus able to assist Arlene’s parents as they grew older. They built a beautiful home with their very own hands, which would serve as the location for several family reunion campouts, church services, friend gatherings and more. Dennis and Arlene had an incredible life together; a love story for the ages.
Dennis is survived and missed by his loving wife, Arlene, of 36 years. His children, Craig Daniels (and wife, Dawn) and Jason Daniels (and wife, Tracy); forever cherished and remembered by his three grandchildren: Brendan, Emerson and Tyson; siblings: Betty Smith, Nelleane Beard (and husband, Dan), Kay Stillwell, and Allen Daniels. His memory also lives on through his many nieces and nephews.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Minnie McAuley Daniels Cunningham, and siblings: Joyce Daniels Carroll Hatley and Charles Daniels.
Services will be held at the home of Dennis and Arlene on Sept. 9, 2023 at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to “Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort”: https://www.disasterreliefeffort.org/
