BLAIR DENNY

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On August 11, 2023, Blair Glen Denny passed away at the age of 74.  Blair was born in Centralia, IL to Mary Lou (Warren) and Glen “Vern” Denny.  Blair graduated from Wichita High School West in Wichita, KS in 1966 and from Southwestern College with a B.A. in English and Secondary Education in 1970.  After college, Blair joined the U.S. Air Force and served his country during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1974.  He attended the Defense Language Institute, Chinese Mandarin, at the Presidio of Monterey, from 1970 to 1971.  Blair was a Staff Sergeant serving as a Voice Processing Specialist with a twelve-month tour in Thailand.

In 1973, Blair married Marilyn Alexander.  They had two sons, Grant and Phillip.  Blair and Marilyn divorced in 1985.  Blair married Deanna Jones McPherson in 1988.

Blair taught high school English in Douglass, KS from 1974 to 1978.  He then worked in purchasing and traffic for a steam generator plant until 1986.  Blair was purchaser and sales person for a medical supply company from 1986 to 1992.  He was the owner-operator of Winfield Charter Bus Company from 1992 to 1997.  Blair then went to work as a locomotive conductor and engineer for Kansas City Southern Railroad from 1997 to 2004.  In 2004, Blair saw a dream come true when he became an engineer for Amtrak.  He retired in 2018.

Blair enjoyed his hobby as a train enthusiast and model railroader.  He was a collector of Fiestaware, Hull Art Pottery, linen postcards, old tools, and neckties.  He was a Kansas City Royals fan and loved the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

Blair and Deanna returned to Winfield in 2019 and Blair found he loved Winfield as much as ever.  He attended Grace United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees.  Every morning at 10:00, Blair was at College Hill Coffee discussing all the important matters of the day with the Coffee Group.

Blair will be missed by his wife, Deanna; sons, Grant (Lori) Davis Denny of South Pasadena, CA; Phillip (Elissa) Denny of North Phoenix, AZ; stepson Greg McPherson of Arkansas City; grandchildren, Sydney, Max, and Edison Davis Denny; Alexandria and Giuliana Denny; step-grandchildren, Kaden and Keegan Frazier; Sister Joanna Denny of Winfield; Uncle Don (Patricia) Denny of Rogers, AR; Deanna’s brothers and sisters, Ramona Sweeten, Barbara Miller, Lynda Hartel, Allan Jones, and Walter Jones and their families; Alexandria and Giuliana’s mother Jennifer DePorzio; and an amazing extended family and wonderful, loving friends.

A celebration of Blair’s life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield under the direction of Miles Funeral Service.  Interment will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery.  A reception will follow graveside services.  

A memorial has been established in Blair’s name for Southwestern College.  Contributions may be ma