Dennis Lee Burnison

A celebration of life for Dennis L. Burnison, 60, of Aurora, CO will take place at 1:00pm in the Chapel of Horan & McConaty -SE Denver/ Aurora on Saturday, August 24^th, 2019. Services will be officiated by longtime friend and neighbor Pastor Jay Oertli.

Visitations will be on Friday, August 23^rd, 2019 at 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the Chapel of Horan & McConaty -SE Denver/Aurora. A second visitation on Saturday, August 24^th, 2019 will be from 12:00pm – 1:00pm in the Chapel of Horan & McConaty -SE Denver/Aurora.

The Burnison family invites you to join them for a reception at W.T. Shorty’s Sports Grill; 990 S. Oneida St., Denver, CO 80224, immediately following the Celebration of Life.

Dennis passed away on Saturday, August 17^th, 2019 comforted by family at the Medical Center of Aurora in Aurora, CO.

Dennis was born on June 13^th, 1959, in Red Oak, IA, the first child and first son of Richard W. and Leta L. (Harold) Burnison.

On May 8^th, 1982 Dennis married Cynthia (Morfeld) in Stanton, NE. To this union they had three children, Adam, Jackie and Stephanie. They made their home in Denver, CO until 1995.

Dennis remarried on August 9^th, 1997 to current spouse Beth (Rossart) Burnison. To this union they had one son, Benjamin. Dennis was also a step-father to a daughter Gwyn and son John. They have made their home in Aurora, CO.

Dennis graduated high school from Stanton High School in Stanton, NE in 1977. With a Bachelors degree from Penn State University, Dennis was a sprinkler fitter in the fire protection field. He worked hard for his family for 42 years and was a proud union member for local union #669 for 37 of those years. Often known as a prankster, he enjoyed being able to be a mentor and build friendships with many of the men he met in his field.

Dennis loved the Rocky Mountains. He was an avid outdoors man who loved to go hunting, camping and going out in the boat to go fishing with his family. You could often find him on the weekends driving through the mountains trying to find that perfect plot of land to settle down on and call his own. Often while fishing, Dennis loved to proclaim to whomever caught the first fish of the day, with a big grin, that they'd caught the dollar fish. Among those other hobbies, Dennis enjoyed his collection of rare currency sets and being able to walk the shores of the reservoir with his metal detector just to see what he could find. He also found the travel bug later on in life and experienced a great fondness of some of the places heard about in his favorite Beach Boys songs.

Dennis, often on the weekend liked spending time with his friends and neighbors. To him, they were like an extended family and he always took time to help take care of any of them in need.

Above all, Dennis was a family man. He had a huge heart and loved his mother and father, brothers and sisters, children and grand children in which ever way they came to him. He enjoyed his time with his family, whether that was going up to the mountains, searching for gold, watching the latest episode of ghost hunters, holidays, gathered with everyone and recanting stories of mischief from his youth. He relished it all.

Dennis was preceded in death by his mother Leta and father Richard. Uncles and Aunts: Stanley, Ruel, Virgil, Larry, Joy, Linda, Phyllis, Lou and Neta.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 22 years; their children and spouses Gwyn Rhoades, Adam and Samantha Burnison, John Brewer, Jackie and Fernando Papi, Stephanie Burnison and Alejandro Ors, and Benjamin Burnison. Grandchildren: Isabel Jane, Alice, Teddy, Christian, Kendall, Alonso, and Emiliana. Siblings: Phillip and Lynnda Burnison, Randall and Mary Beth Burnison, and Mary Lou Burnison-Rohrich. Nieces and Nephews: Nathaniel and Megan Burnison, Karissa and Ryan Zwingman, Ryan and Erica Burnison, Robyn Burnison, Jackson Burnison Uncles and Aunts: Wendall, Florine, Leland, Karen, Sandy, Lowell and Janet.

His family would also like to say thank you to all of the family and friends who have reached out with stories and kind words and support through this difficult time. And extend a special thank you to Diane, Tom and Sean Brennan as well as to Vicki and Dennis Gereaux for your support at the Medical Center of Aurora.

Floral contributions for the Burnison family can be sent to Horan and McConaty; 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave. Aurora, CO 80014

In honor of Dennis’ memory, please wear your finest Hawaiian shirts and casual vacation wear–no suits or ties. There will be a responsible individual available to help watch young children during the service, so please feel free to bring your family.

Visitation: August 23, 2019 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Visitation: August 24, 2019 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Celebration of Life: August 24, 2019 1:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SE Denver/Aurora
11150 E. Dartmouth Ave.
Aurora, CO 80014

Reception: August 24, 2019 2:30 pm

W.T. Shorty's Sports Grill
990 S. Oneida Street
Denver, CO 80224
303-388-2883
https://www.wtshortys.com/