Dennis Earl Parmer

Dennis Earl Parmer, age 80, passed away on March 28, 2016, at his home in Willow, Alaska surrounded by his family.

Dennis, the only child of Ada Bernice (Fletcher) and Clifford Dennis Parmer, was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma on August 18, 1935, and raised in Santa Anna, Texas. Dennis was the first in his family to finish high school and attend college, eventually attaining the title of Doctor in Dental Surgery (DDS) specializing in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Having served in the Army National Guard in his youth, Dennis continued his career in the military after college. He served more than 20 years in the Army Medical Corps with assignments in Korea, Germany, and all over the U.S. He left the Army as Colonel in the 1980s to continue his trade in a teaching role. Dennis practiced and taught Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center for 10 years before fully retiring in May 2002.

His love of nature and the outdoors had always been a large part of his life, and now it called him to explore the wonderment of Alaska. Though his final years prevented him from continuing his outdoor trekking, he embraced each sunrise - sunset - and season change from his home in Willow.

He is survived by his wife Lela Evelyne Ashworth; son, Dennis Lee Parmer, of Oklahoma; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Taber, of Alaska; son, David Carden Parmer, of Maryland; seven grandchildren, and four great- grandchildren. Per his request, no services will be held and his ashes will be laid to rest with his wife.

He will always be remembered for his calming demeanor, quiet intellect, loving grins, and sly pranks. “Joe,” “Denny,” “Daddy,” “Old Man” you will be sorely missed but will live on in our hearts!