Orrian Frank Denny, age 72, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2017 at Eastern Montana Veterans home in Glendive, Montana. He was born in Poplar, Montana on July 18, 1945 to Vearl and Kathryn “Taddy” Denny.
His early life was enhanced by a step mother, Eunice Denny and a stepfather Sol Grainger. Also Louise Abbott, Frank Spindler, Gale and Lida Menz, Dave and Frances Smith, Robert and Theresa Carson.
He attended school in Poplar, Flandreau, and Haskell. He also served in the Marines in 1963.
On April 19, 1974 he married Dorothy Phillips in Stockton, Kansas. While living there he farmed, worked as a mechanic, and did road construction mainly in parks, roads, and parking lots.
In 1977 he returned to Montana to work at Hope Ranch taking care of many foster children. After leaving Hope Ranch, he continued his concern for children and mentoring them. Trying to teach them his mechanic skills and helping some finish their education, or taking them hunting. His ‘kids’ included David Adams, Jimmy Whittet, Patty Whittet, Erica Denny, Chad Hernandez, Benji Wise Spirit, Matthew Longtree, and Andrew Mitchell.
Over the years he continued to haul freight, hay, cattle or whatever it took to stay in that semi-truck He loved horses and was always ready to go for a ride or work cattle.
In 1992 he and Dorothy leased B&S Laundry in Brockton and continued until the end of 2015 when his health issues became a tremendous burden on both of them.
Besides his parents, his family included his brothers and their families. Gary and Jackie Grainger, Steve Grainger, Lyle Denny, Russell Denny, and Bill Whitehead. His sisters and their families, Jeanne and Karl Reinlasoder, Iva Grainger, Darlyn Grainger, Chrissy and Joe Brand, Iris Anderson, and Nancy Dumont. His adopted brothers and their families, Cecil Smith, Frank Smith, JoJo Abbott, Frosty Brown, Giesh Lambert, Ed Crawford, and Duane Engen. Special friends and their families, Dewey and Toni Johnson, Earl Price, Jim and Marty Dillon, Ray and Su Dehner, Jerry and Janice Drieling in Kansas and Larry and JoAnn Hendrickson in Kansas. His in-laws and their families in Kansas, Myrtle Phillips, Marvin and Delores Phillips, Larry and Margaret Phillips, and Gary and Carol Phillips. Also the families of Theresa Carson, Frances Smith, Lida Menz, Lottie Boyd, Almena Red Dog, Serena Good Soldier, Mick Smith, Orval Grainger, Ray Smith, Buck Smith, Leslie Grainger, Iva Trinder, and Ruth Grainger Dryer.
He was preceded in death by many of his family and friends.
Cremation has taken place and services will be held at 10 am on Friday, July 28, 2017 at the Assembly of God church in Poplar, Montana. Burial will follow at a later date.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family by using the form below.