Dennis Gerfen flew into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully on the evening of November 13, 2018 as he was surrounded by the family he loved.
Dennis was born at home in Chico, California during a late afternoon thunderstorm. He was born in the house his parents had bought before he was born and where his parents resided until both of their deaths. He was born with an adventurous spirit that was never quenched.
Dennis spent his early years going on trips with his family, camping, fishing, canoeing, and flying model airplanes all while earning money running a paper route. After graduating from Chico High School in 1957 he continued his education at Chico State and worked at Diamond Match until joining the US Navy in 1961.

During his first liberty at his first duty station he met a fiery redhead, Phyllis, who he married. Den and Phyl spent the next 22 years where ever the Navy sent them, pursuing many adventures and raising their five children together. Some of the amazing adventures occurred in places like Japan, Guam, California, Hawaii, Alaska, and Spain.
Retirement from the Navy occured in 1982 at which time he returned to his home town of Chico where the adventures continued. He traveled to Niagara Falls, the Statue of Liberty, Washington D.C., Florida, Italy, and took multiple cross-country trips.
In 2001, he and his bride moved to Pensacola, Florida where he would be able to relish long walks on the beautiful white sugar sand beaches. Of course, the adventures continued. More trips traveling cross-country, Yellow Stone National Park, multiple cruises including Alaska, the Bahamas, and Mexico. An especially memorable adventure was the opportunity to drive a steam locomotive.
Dennis was not done with his working career after serving 22 years in the US Navy. He went on to find employment in the areas of automotive mechanics, electrical work, and eventually was self-employed as a handy man. He still sought ways to serve his country and found employment with the US Census Bureau.
Dennis loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He served his church in many capacities including greeting parishioners at the door, hosting a senior group in his home, volunteering at church events, and offering his expertise in areas such as electrical repairs and building maintenance.
Community was also important to Dennis and some of his community contributions include supporting in Girl Scouts (because all four of his daughters were in Girl Scouts), little league, special Olympics, and high school bands, choirs, and track teams.
Dennis’ hobbies included spending as much time as possible going to the beach, bowling, coin collecting, collecting clocks, and anything to do with trains. In fact, he has a “train room” in his home. But what was most important to him, was to spend time with his family.

Dennis will be mostly missed by his wife Phyllis. He will be missed by his daughters: Terri (husband Vaughn), Beverly (James), Denise (Bill), Marie (Kevin), His son, Howard (wife Linda), and his honorary daughter Renee.
His siblings will also miss him greatly: Gilbert (Margaret), Sandy (Wayne), Kathy (Larry), and Joanne (Tom), Rocky (Susan).
He has 12 grandchildren and 19, soon to be 20, great grandchildren who will all miss him at family events. We all love you and look forward to being reunited in heaven.
In Leu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hope Christian Church who lost their facilities in the recent Camp fire in Paradise California. Hope Christian Church was Dennis’ home church when spending time in California and he would be pleased to be a part in the rebuilding of the community.
https://hopechurchparadise.churchcenter.com/giving

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