Dennis Ray McKechnie

Lifelong Palmer resident Dennis Ray McKechnie, 65, died Oct. 5, 2012, at the St. Elias Specialty Hospital in Anchorage.

A celebration of Dennis’ life is from 1 to 3 p.m., Oct. 12 at the Moose Family Lodge No. 793, 1136 S. Cobb St. in Palmer.

Dennis was born May 3, 1947, to Raymond Everton and Diana Salama (Santti) McKechnie in Palmer. He entered into the U.S. Navy in 1966 and had served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy Mobile Construction Battalion No. 8, A Company until he was honorably discharged in 1969. Dennis worked for various companies on the North Slope as a Heavy Equipment Operator for 39 years. He was a member of the Moose Lodge No. 793, Elks Lodge No. 1842, American Legion Post No. 15 and the VFW Post 2509. Dennis enjoyed spending with his family, hunting, camping, fishing and reading westerns and spy novels.

Dennis was fondly known as “Grumps” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to laugh and tease; you knew he liked you if he made fun of you. Dennis was loving and generous, quick to help family and friends in need. One of Dennis’ favorite things to do was going out to breakfast with his brothers and friends. He kept in regular contact with his Navy buddies. His cooking will be sorely missed. Dennis and Sharon recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, a lifetime of wonderful memories.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Raymond and Diana McKechnie; and brother, Jerry McKechnie.

Surviving are his wife, Sharon McKechnie of Palmer; son, Raymond McKechnie of Dubuque, Iowa; daughter, Deborah McGowen of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter and son in-law, Kimber and Kurt Hediger of Wasilla; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dennis’ memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 West Evergreen Ave. Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60642 or online at pulmonaryfibrosis.org/donate.

Arrangements were by the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. An obituary and guestbook are online at AlaskanFuneral.com.