Larry Dean Dennett

Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Larry attended Augusta High School before graduating from Rose Hill High School. He was baptized in the Central Baptist Church in Augusta, Kansas. He went on to serve his country with honor as a paratrooper and demolitions expert in the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, during the Vietnam Era.

On New Year’s Eve in 1964, Larry married the love of his life, Ulrike Dennett. Their 60-year marriage was a testament to love, partnership, and adventure. Together, they raised two sons, Darren and Travis, while embracing a life filled with exploration and achievement.

Larry pursued higher education with dedication, earning an associate degree from Wichita Business College, a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University, and a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma. His career led him to the Panama Canal Commission (PCC), where he worked as a management analyst from 1974 to 1984. He played a pivotal role in modernizing operations, transitioning manual processes to computer-driven controls.

During their time in Panama, Larry and Ulrike embraced adventure, traveling extensively throughout Central America and exploring the jungles of Panama. Their expeditions led to the excavation of pre-Columbian artifacts, which they later donated to the Wichita Museum of World Treasures and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Larry also became an avid scuba diver, exploring the coasts of Panama.

In 1984, following his father Melvin’s health emergency, Larry and his family returned to Kansas, where they established Cottonwood Greyhound Racing Farm. There, they bred and trained champion greyhounds, including Buckaroo Bandit, who won the first Kansas City Woodlands Sprint Classic stakes race in 1990. From 1994 to 1997, Larry shared his expertise by teaching computer science at local community colleges.

In 2004, after Ulrike’s mother fell ill, they relocated to Cibolo, Texas, to assist with her care. Larry became a partner in the Lake Ray Hubbard Emergency Pet Care Center and the LRH Veterinary Group, supporting his son Travis to establish a veterinary ER dedicated to providing emergency and critical care for severely ill or injured pets in the Dallas area. Passionate about mentorship, Larry took great pride in supporting his family’s entrepreneurial pursuits, playing an instrumental role in helping his son Travis and grandsons Luke and Wyatt launch their businesses.

After settling in Cibolo, Larry pursued a new passion—acting. He embarked on a career in film and television, working alongside Nicholas Cage and Al Pacino in films such as Joe and Manglehorn, as well as appearing in numerous TV shows and commercials.

Larry had a deep appreciation for the friendships he built over the years. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, offering wisdom, generosity, and kindness to those in need. His adventurous spirit extended beyond his professional and personal endeavors. He was also a private pilot who loved the freedom of flying. His affiliations included being a member of the Jaycees, the American Legion, and Shriners organizations.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Lucy Dennett. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ulrike; his sons, Darren and Travis, and Travis’s wife, Amanda; his sister, Janet, and husband, Roger Howell; brothers, Rick and Gary, and Gary’s wife, Judy Dennett; cherished grandchildren: Tyler, Preston, Luke, Wyatt, Taylor, Nick, Carsen, Chloe, Harry, and Jack; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service honoring Larry’s life will be held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas, on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 2 p.m. Full military honors will be conducted by the honor guard from Fort Cavazos.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Larry's niece, Gayla Dennett-Nakamura, and Mike Lundberg for their invaluable assistance over the last year. Special thanks also go to Dr. Phillip Woodall, Jennifer Sizer, RN, Chaplain Jason Fields, and the entire Hope & Grace Hospice team for their compassionate care and support during this very difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Larry’s memory at www.t2t.org.

Larry’s adventurous spirit, unwavering dedication, and boundless generosity will be deeply missed but forever remembered.