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John Brian Denny
John Brian Denny, 66, departed this world on Wednesday evening, May 22, 2024 after succumbing to a sudden illness. He was surrounded by his devoted and loving wife Dianne, and his only son Matthew.
John was born to James Robert Denny Jr. and Lois Denny (nee Lazenby) of Danville, VA. Growing up with his two elder brothers, Jay and David, John honed his wit and charm that went hand in hand with his enormous smile and his resounding laugh. A lover of history, music, film, and the arts, John’s tastes branched out through all forms and genres, and his encyclopedic memory was quick with a fact or anecdote about almost any topic.
After graduating from George Mason University, John moved to Richmond, VA, a city he loved for its history, architecture, and beauty. It was here where he married Julie Gorman, and the two had a son, Matthew. John and Matt would go on many an adventure together be it road trips, camping trips, museums, concerts, vacations, or even just an early morning trip for donuts and coffee. John imbued in his son his love for history, the arts, and life in general.
In 2014, John married the love of his life, Dianne, and the two of them eventually made their way to the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks. Keeping a household full of dogs, cheer and love, they welcomed children, grandchildren, friends and family while also being active in their local community. John Denny will be remembered most for his jovial nature, his lightning fast recall, and his enormous and open heart.
John is survived by his wife, Dianne; his son, Matthew; his brothers, Jay and David; his stepsons, David and Ben, and their respective families.
A service to celebrate John’s life will be held in the Outer Banks at Saint Andrew’s By The Sea Episcopal Church on June 2nd, 2024 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please consider a donation to the Outer Banks Dementia Friendly Coalition or charity of your choice. It is also suggested to listen to your favorite song by Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, or artist of your choice, preferably loud.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. Condolences to the family may be expressed via the on-line registry at www.gallopfuneralservices.com
Condolences
John was such a kind and caring man. He would always great you with a smile. He cared so much for the Outer Banks community and was always so helpful. My heart goes out to my dear friend Dianne and all the family.
I was thinking last night about a recent Trivia night at Nouvines and how happy he was being there with his bride and close friends (and smart with the answers). John was a fun loving guy who genuinely loved his wife, family & community. We will all miss him so much.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know John through the Leadership OBX class this year. His charisma and calming personality made him a joy to be around. Dianne, family, and friends will remain in my prayers.
Dianne and family , my heart goes out to you during this difficult time . John’s love of family ,passion for his community , baseball and history will be remembered forever . I will cherish the Conversations we’ve had and miss his spirit greatly
Dianne and Matt, my heart goes out to you both. He loved you both and he loved the grandkids. He always loved a chance to talk about his family. I'll remember him for his love of music, quick jokes and his love for the outer banks. I'm so glad I had the chance to work with him and become friends.
John taught me a lot about life in my time with him at Lowes. Always a kind man, full of wisdom and humor. Keep Truckin John, you will be missed.
I enjoyed the time I had with John, his quick witted humor and jovial personality put everyone around him at ease. I will miss our conversations about music and leadership. Dianne and Family, Candi and I are sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers. John will be missed!!
We are so sorry Dianne and we will miss John. We only met at few Rotary functions but he was clearly a very nice man. We do not return from New Zealand until June 6 but will think of you and pray for you on the 2nd.
Dianne - Our hearts are heavy hearing of John's death. We know prayers for so many of us are surrounding you and family to bring comfort and encouraging each day. We pray your community can give you ALL the support you need. He was an awesome man with a love of family and community. We are sending love to you - Jeff and Diane Fischer
Jay, David and family, Diane and I are so sorry for the passing of John and are praying for you in this time of sadness. Your parents raised three amazing young men who make them proud and who have touched so many friends over the years. Love to you all! Frankie and Diane
I knew John through his lovely bride Dianne. He was by her side at almost every event or time out and about. I'm glad she was by his side as he took his final breaths here on earth. We'll take good care of your gal, John!
It is with a heavy heart that I write this note, John was wealth of information, always had the right questions to ask during our Leadership class and he was a very thoughtful. God Bless Diane and the family with many happy memories.
Our parents were good friends and thus we were thrown together as children over golf outing picnics or trips to football games or just getting together for dinner. He was a bit older and wiser, I must add, but I remember that quick wit and that jovial laugh even back then. Many years passed in between but a quick reconnection in Danville brought us right back in time. So sorry for the loss to your family and friends who I'm sure thoroughly enjoyed his exuberance for life on a daily basis. I will miss his music posts and wealth of knowledge behind it. RIP John!
We were so very sorry to hear of John's passing, and please accept our deepest condolences.
Our deepest condolences to Dianne and the entire family. We will miss running into John at various places in town, always enjoying his smile and gregariousness. May his laughter and generosity of spirit continue to inspire us.
We remember John so fondly from our days at St. Bridget School. Matt and our son, Charles, were good friends. We are sorry for your loss and will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Matthew, I'm so sorry about John's passing. He was always so full of joy & talking about trips & going with you to hear Widespread Panic. My heart aches for you & Diane. You are in my prayers. Judy Duarte
David and Jay, I was shocked to see John's obituary in the RTD this morning. A sad day. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on John's passing. I will also follow the suggestion offered, listening to some Dylan, Beatles, Grateful Dead and loud.
I am so sorry to hear of this terrible news. I had just talked to him the week before. He would call me up for the last 4 years working with him almost every other week to catch up. I feel like I almost know his family with the way that he talked about them. He was so proud of all his family members, wife, sons, grandchildren, brothers, vacations that he took with them etc. When I traveled to Outer Banks to visit stores with him, he would tell me history about the area and of course good places to eat! He was also very proud of his home and drove me by to show me the flowers and landscaping around the house. I will miss him dearly with his funny little jabs at me! All in fun for sure. May he rest in peace and the Westlake Family will miss him very much.
Dianne, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. My condolences to you and your family and I will keep you in my prayers.
Condolences from your friends at Equitable. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Denny family. Alex Altizer, Matt McKenna, Michelle Mast, and Dickie Weart
Mike and I went to high school with John. He was always fun to be around and a super guy. Our prayers go out to all the family during this time of sadness.
Dianne, we met John at Rotary functions and remember his happy laugh and friendly demeanor. We are so sorry for your loss. In memory of him, we will listen, LOUDLY, to Led Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven on the way to and from the service.
I was so sorry to hear of Johns passing. I met John through Leadership OBX and had many lovely conversations with him. John's kindness and compassion was so evident to all that met him-he will be missed.
John was such a kind and caring man. He would always great you with a smile. He cared so much for the Outer Banks community and was always so helpful. My heart goes out to my dear friend Dianne and all the family.
I was thinking last night about a recent Trivia night at Nouvines and how happy he was being there with his bride and close friends (and smart with the answers). John was a fun loving guy who genuinely loved his wife, family & community. We will all miss him so much.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know John through the Leadership OBX class this year. His charisma and calming personality made him a joy to be around. Dianne, family, and friends will remain in my prayers.
Dianne and family , my heart goes out to you during this difficult time . John’s love of family ,passion for his community , baseball and history will be remembered forever . I will cherish the Conversations we’ve had and miss his spirit greatly
Dianne and Matt, my heart goes out to you both. He loved you both and he loved the grandkids. He always loved a chance to talk about his family. I’ll remember him for his love of music, quick jokes and his love for the outer banks. I’m so glad I had the chance to work with him and become friends.
John taught me a lot about life in my time with him at Lowes. Always a kind man, full of wisdom and humor. Keep Truckin John, you will be missed.
I enjoyed the time I had with John, his quick witted humor and jovial personality put everyone around him at ease. I will miss our conversations about music and leadership. Dianne and Family, Candi and I are sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers. John will be missed!!
We are so sorry Dianne and we will miss John. We only met at few Rotary functions but he was clearly a very nice man. We do not return from New Zealand until June 6 but will think of you and pray for you on the 2nd.
Dianne – Our hearts are heavy hearing of John’s death. We know prayers for so many of us are surrounding you and family to bring comfort and encouraging each day. We pray your community can give you ALL the support you need. He was an awesome man with a love of family and community. We are sending love to you – Jeff and Diane Fischer
Jay, David and family, Diane and I are so sorry for the passing of John and are praying for you in this time of sadness. Your parents raised three amazing young men who make them proud and who have touched so many friends over the years.
Love to you all! Frankie and Diane
I knew John through his lovely bride Dianne. He was by her side at almost every event or time out and about. I’m glad she was by his side as he took his final breaths here on earth. We’ll take good care of your gal, John!
It is with a heavy heart that I write this note, John was wealth of information, always had the right questions to ask during our Leadership class and he was a very thoughtful. God Bless Diane and the family with many happy memories.
Our parents were good friends and thus we were thrown together as children over golf outing picnics or trips to football games or just getting together for dinner. He was a bit older and wiser, I must add, but I remember that quick wit and that jovial laugh even back then. Many years passed in between but a quick reconnection in Danville brought us right back in time. So sorry for the loss to your family and friends who I’m sure thoroughly enjoyed his exuberance for life on a daily basis. I will miss his music posts and wealth of knowledge behind it. RIP John!
We were so very sorry to hear of John’s passing, and please accept our deepest condolences.
Our deepest condolences to Dianne and the entire family. We will miss running into John at various places in town, always enjoying his smile and gregariousness. May his laughter and generosity of spirit continue to inspire us.
We remember John so fondly from our days at St. Bridget School. Matt and our son, Charles, were good friends. We are sorry for your loss and will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Matthew, I’m so sorry about John’s passing. He was always so full of joy & talking about trips & going with you to hear Widespread Panic. My heart aches for you & Diane. You are in my prayers.
Judy Duarte
David and Jay, I was shocked to see John’s obituary in the RTD this morning. A sad day. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on John’s passing. I will also follow the suggestion offered, listening to some Dylan, Beatles, Grateful Dead and loud.
I am so sorry to hear of this terrible news. I had just talked to him the week before. He would call me up for the last 4 years working with him almost every other week to catch up. I feel like I almost know his family with the way that he talked about them. He was so proud of all his family members, wife, sons, grandchildren, brothers, vacations that he took with them etc. When I traveled to Outer Banks to visit stores with him, he would tell me history about the area and of course good places to eat! He was also very proud of his home and drove me by to show me the flowers and landscaping around the house. I will miss him dearly with his funny little jabs at me! All in fun for sure. May he rest in peace and the Westlake Family will miss him very much.
Dianne, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. My condolences to you and your family and I will keep you in my prayers.
Condolences from your friends at Equitable. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Denny family.
Alex Altizer, Matt McKenna, Michelle Mast, and Dickie Weart
Mike and I went to high school with John. He was always fun to be around and a super guy.
Our prayers go out to all the family during this time of sadness.
Dianne, we met John at Rotary functions and remember his happy laugh and friendly demeanor. We are so sorry for your loss.
In memory of him, we will listen, LOUDLY, to Led Zepplin’s Stairway to Heaven on the way to and from the service.
I was so sorry to hear of Johns passing. I met John through Leadership OBX and had many lovely conversations with him. John’s kindness and compassion was so evident to all that met him-he will be missed.