Kenneth E. "Gene" Dennis

Kenneth E. “Gene” Dennis, 87, a resident of Davenport, Iowa died on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Private family services will be held at Fairmount Cemetery in Davenport. Memorials may be made to the family. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.

He was born in Vandalia, Illinois on October 18, 1937, the son of Julius and Ethel Marie (Surratt) Dennis and was a graduate of Jacksonville (Illinois) High School. On November 19, 1956, he was united in marriage to Margaret E. Lucas. She preceded him in death on May 13, 2009.

Gene was employed at Al’s Transmission in Davenport and at the same time, worked as a security guard for Per-Mar Security of Davenport, retiring in 2002 after more that 30 years of service.

In his spare time, he loved to read western novels and was an avid CB radio operator known by his handle “Gunslinger.” All his life he was a gun enthusiast and treasured the times spent with his beloved family, especially his many grandchildren.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughters, Theresa Ragsdale, Tracy Dennis and Tammy Pena, all of Davenport; his sons, Terry (Kathleen) Dennis of Philadelphia, Missouri and Travis (Tami) Dennis of Davenport; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Maxine Emma Moore of Jacksonville, Illinois; and his brothers, Gordon Dennis of Decatur, Illinois, Bobby Dennis of Jacksonville and a special family friend, Dixson Barnhart.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his sons, Tommy Dennis and Troy Dennis; his granddaughter, Mercedes and her daughter; his sister, Mary Malicoat; and his brothers, Clinton Dennis and Larry Dennis.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing his obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.