John W. Dendy

(March 1, 1930 – March 4, 2016)
John W. Dendy, 86, of Stephenville, passed away Friday, March 4, 2016 in Stephenville. John was born on March 1, 1930 in De Leon to the late Bill and Lillie Mae Reed Dendy. After high school graduation, he joined the U. S. Navy where he developed a love of flying. This ultimately led him to obtain his private pilot’s license and enjoy many years of flying the skies of this country.

In 1956, John graduated from the Texas Department of Public Safety Academy and was stationed as a Highway Patrolman in Waco and League City for the next 15 years. In 1973, he promoted to Texas Ranger and was stationed in Canyon. In 1979, he transferred to Stephenville where he worked until his retirement in 1992 and where he was a member of the Masonic Lodge 276.

John married Vinita Miller on August 14, 1965 in Houston and together they raised two children. In addition to his family, he dearly loved his ranch where he was always busy raising cattle, horses and pecans.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Vinita Dendy of Stephenville; children, Kirby Dendy and wife Donna of China Spring, and Kathy Wiley and husband Bill of Granbury; four grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Billie Jean Dendy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Erath County Animal Shelter.

Pall Bearers: Tommy Bryant, Simon DeLaCruz, Travis Dendy, John Johnson, Joe Scott, Brian Wheeler, and Shawn Wiley.
Honorary Pall Bearers: All active and retired Texas Rangers.
Honor Guard provided by Texas Rangers Company “B” and Texas Department of Public Safety Region 1 Honor Guard.