James B. ""Jim"" Denning

James Bernard Denning, born May 27, 1936, passed away due to a sudden heart attack in his home on December 24, 2015 at the age of 79. Jim was born in Wheeling, West Virginia to Leo and Loretta Denning. Jim is survived by his 4 brothers, older brother Robert (Bob), his middle brother Thomas (Tom) and his younger brothers, ""the twins"" William (Bill) and Richard (Dick) Denning. Jim attended Saint John's Central Catholic High School in Bellaire, Ohio and graduated in 1954. Jim had a fantastic memory for events from his childhood and young adulthood, including stories about his brothers and many relatives on the Stenger family farm in Clarington, Ohio. After high school, he went into the U.S. Army Corps. He was stationed for active duty at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama from September 1959 ¬¬ September 1961. He was then a reservist in Columbus, OH until his honorable discharge in September 1965. He liked to tell stories about being a lifeguard in the army, assembling missiles, and delivering mail to his commanding officers. Following his service in the Army, he began civil service with the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Jim always had a knack for keeping track of details and was perfectly suited for his 30­year career as a coal mine inspector for the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA). This position brought him to Colorado in 1970 with his first wife, Margaret (Maggie) Hille (m.1968, d.1988). His children, Paul Denning (born 1972) and Anne (Annie) Denning Hille (born 1974) live in Denver, CO and Portland, OR, respectively. Jim was a very proud and loving father who never hesitated to express his love or provide support to his children. He was equally proud and affectionate with Annie's sons Miles (age 10) and Desmond (age 8), and Paul's daughters Willa (age 7) and Quincey (age 4). His grandchildren will always have fond memories of playing with model trains, learning about mining equipment, playing ping-­pong, and asking endless questions about pictures and experiences with their ""Gramps"". Jim was preceded in death by his second wife, Loretta Lorraine Mintzmyer (1935¬2008). Jim and Lorraine shared a deep love and a wonderful life together traveling to National Parks, taking cruises, and enjoying guided trips abroad. One of Jim's favorite trips was a cruise to Alaska. Among their travels were also China, Russia, Egypt, the Middle East, and Europe. Jim had a lifelong love of antique cars that Lorraine supported wholeheartedly during their years together. In his early twenties, he owned a Model A and a Model T that required lots of tinkering to run. He ended up having to sell these, but he kept many of the parts of the Model A and organized and displayed the parts on the ""A Wall"" in his garage. In 1958, he acquired a 1947 Chrysler Woody convertible that was his pride and joy. In his 60's, he and Lorraine worked to restore the Chrysler, and they enjoyed taking it out on spins around their Ken Caryl, CO neighborhood. Jim will be lovingly remembered in a memorial service at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church on Friday January 8th at 11am. Jim was an adopted and longtime member of the Abiding Hope community and had a lifelong faith that God will sustain. His beautiful and enthusiastic singing voice and his friendly smile toward all that he knew will be greatly missed. A memorial fund will be collected at Abiding Hope Church in Littleton, CO. Thank you to all who provide love and support to Jim's children and family. He will live on in our hearts and memories. Please share your memories of Jim and offer condolences to his family by signing the guestbook below.