Donald Baxter Dennis

Donald Baxter Dennis was born October 2, 1930, in Blanchard, Oklahoma, to Rand and Viola Dennis. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

Don spent his early years on the family farm near Blanchard. He attended the Freeny two-room school through the fourth grade before the family moved to their longtime farm and he transferred to Blanchard Schools. He graduated from Blanchard High School in 1949. He attended Cameron College in Lawton for one semester and later Central State in Edmond before leaving school to join the United States Navy on January 4, 1951. Don served four years in the Navy and received an honorable discharge in August 1954. Following his military service, he enrolled at Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater and earned his degree in Secondary Education.

In 1956, Don married Barbara Gordon, and together they built a life grounded in faith, family, and steady commitment. They made their home in Oklahoma City, where Don began his professional career in education. He taught for seven years at Webster Junior High, Taft Junior High, and John Marshall High School.

In January 1963, Don entered the advertising business, joining the Tom P. Gordon Advertising Agency, founded by his father-in-law. The agency later became Gordon Kietzman Dennis (GKD), and Don eventually took over leadership when Tom Gordon became ill. An icon in OKC advertising, he loved helping small clients become leaders in their industries - from CMI to Air Tractor, he was deeply proud of the work the agency did. Later in his career, he served as a Senior Account Executive at Beal’s Advertising, Larry Smith Advertising, and MindsEye Advertising. After 42 years in advertising, and after several attempted retirements, he officially retired in 2005.

Don and Barbara were founding members of St. Eugene Catholic Church. He was also one of the founders of Aerospace America and served on its board of directors. He was an avid sports fan who loved Oklahoma State athletics and the Oklahoma City Thunder, and if a game was on television, there was a good chance he was watching.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his six siblings: R.F. Dennis and wife Gerald Dean Smith; Billy Jack Dennis and wife Kathleen Chambers; George Kenneth Dennis and wife Fern Richey; Jimmy Lee Dennis and wife Lyndal Kuhn; Laura Sue Dennis; and Ruth Ann Brooks and husband Donald Brooks.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Joy Brown (Rex), Tom Dennis (Sally), and Donald Dennis (Connie); his grandson, Jason; and his great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Don’s devoted caregivers Angela Ray, Leslie Morton, Kim Edwards, and Freida Abakah, whose compassion and kindness brought great comfort to our family. The family also thanks Logan of Russell Murray Hospice for his care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Eugene Catholic Church (steugenes.org) or the Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org/oklahoma).

Arrangements are under the direction of Smith & Kernke Funeral Homes, 14624 N May Avenue, Oklahoma City. A private ceremony will be held for immediate family, with a public celebration of life planned for a later date.