Robert L. Denham

Robert L. Denham

Robert L. Denham, of Amarillo, passed away on November 12. As per Robert’s request, there will be no services. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 Georgia in Amarillo Texas.

Robert was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio on October 10, 1930 to Roy and Gussie L. Denham. In 1948, Robert graduated from Adena High School in Adena, Ohio. He later attended Amarillo College, as well as, the University of Maryland.

In 1948, Robert enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for 26 years until his retirement as a Senior Master Sergeant. He was deployed on multiple tours to areas such as, Alaska, Saudi Arabia, Germany and England. Robert received a number of different awards during his service such as the Meritorious Service Medal, which he received twice.

In 1955, while being stationed at the Amarillo Air Force Base, he met and married Jessie McKee Garside. Jessie Garside had recently moved to Amarillo from Scotland with her daughter Carol. Robert and Jessie then had their son Robert, and during their 30 years of marriage, were able to see the marriages of both their children Robert and Carol, and the births of three grandchildren. Jessie passed away in 1988 before the births of two more of their grandchildren. Then in 2001, Robert married Betty Sue Anders in Las Vegas, New Mexico to whom he was married for over 20 years.

After retiring from the Air Force, Robert worked as a civilian employee at the Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland before he and his family moved back to Amarillo in 1976. He later worked for the Texas Employment Commission in Amarillo for 13 years.

Robert was a member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the Air Force Sergeant’s Association. His favorite past time was fishing and was a member of the original Amarillo Waterwagon Bass Club. As a member of this club, he was able to spend many wonderful weekends at fishing tournaments on lakes in Texas and Oklahoma. Robert also enjoyed; golf, bowling, coin collecting, and traveling, and watching professional football and baseball.

Robert was preceded in death by; his parents, first wife Jesse and brother William R. Denham.

Those who remain to remember him include; his wife Betty Sue, his son Robert, and wife Jennifer of Amarillo, his daughter Carol Brooks and husband John of Bedford, Texas, sister in law Inga Denham of St. Clairsville, Ohio, his brothers in law Tom and Lee, step sons Dave and Curtis as well as a number of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Tanya, Stacey, Tony, Nichole, Ashley, Kendall Bailey, Matthew, Truit, and Tatum, as well as his four great grandchildren.