James David Denton's Obituary
James David Denton entered into Eternal Rest on November 9, 2025. He was born in Boaz, Alabama on 17 December 1936 to Jane Spradlin Denton and Thomas E. Watson Denton. He is survived by his sons, James K. Denton, Thomas W. Denton, and David Lee Denton and wife Jennifer. His grandchildren are Lauren Elizabeth Denton, Margaret Katherine Denton, James Carlton Denton and Jackson David McAllister Denton.
He graduated from DeKalb County High School, in Fort Payne, Alabama, in May 1954. He matriculated through the University of Alabama, graduating with a B.S. degree in Geology in 1959. Soon after graduating he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served mostly at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. After being released from the service he began work in the Oil Industry and retired from Marathon Oil Company in December 1994. During his working years he lived in many foreign countries, attended S.M.U. and North Texas University, obtaining a B.A. and M.B.A. respectively.
He belonged to numerous organizations: Antlers Masonic Lodge (OK) serving as Worshipful Master in 2001 and 2007, Plano (TX) Masonic Lodge, Dallas Scottish Rite and York Rite and Hella Shrine Temple, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Sons of the American Revolution, the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association where he served on the board of directors, the Celtic Club of Longview, Texas, Eastern Star Chapter in Fort Towson (OK), and the Gideons in Antlers where he served in all offices several times. He was a member of two churches – First Baptist Church in Longview and more actively, Saint James Episcopal Church in Antlers.
Dave was one of those men whose eye needed distance and whose mind refused to see hills as barriers or valleys as refuge. He found satisfaction in living a little apart. His soul lives on, leavening our race, knowing that ease and efficiency are not enough. He lived respected and dies regretted.
Contributions are requested for the Gideon’s Memorial Bible Fund. Requiescant in Pace!
Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Sunday, November 23, 2025 at the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in the Glenwood Cemetery with Masonic rites. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 12 noon until the 2 p.m. hour of service.
The family will have a memorial service on December 17, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Longview, Texas.
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