Dennis Nash (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Dennis Dewaine Nash, son of Richard “Dewaine” and Edith Mae Black Nash, was born July 26, 1950, in Salem, Missouri. He departed this life Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Salem Memorial District Hospital, in Salem, Missouri, at the age of seventy years, three months, and twenty-eight days.
On June 5, 1971, he married the love of his life, Brenda Kay Schafer, and they were blessed with two sons, Greg and Brad.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dewaine; his father-in-law, Jr. Schafer; a sister-in-law, Sandra Schafer; and a nephew, Christian Schafer.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Brenda, of the home; two sons, Greg, and Brad and his wife, Deanna, all of Salem, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Collin, Kaleigh O’Daniel and her husband, Andy, Emily, Savannah, Erin, Benton, Aubrey, and Eli; a great-granddaughter, Willow, and one eagerly anticipated great-grandson; his mother, Edith Nash, of Salem, Missouri; two brothers, Randy Nash, and his wife, Kathy, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Mark Nash, and his wife, Tammy, of Salem, Missouri; a sister, Jackie Lunn and her husband, Keith, of Battlefield, Missouri; his mother-in-law, Jessie Schafer; two brothers-in-law, Dennis Schafer and his wife, Cindy, and Larry Schafer and his wife, Shelley; a sister-in-law, Debbie Hines, and her husband, Tim, all of Salem, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He was born and raised in Salem, Missouri, and graduated from Salem High School in the Class of 1969. After he and Brenda were married, they made their home in Salem, where they raised their boys. Pine Chevrolet in Salem, where he worked in the parts department, was the first stop to a long career in the car business. His love for selling cars, started when he went to work at C & E Auto Sales. During the next several years, he continued in sales, working at Fairground Chevrolet in Rolla, Missouri, Mid-Missouri Motors in St. Robert, Missouri, and then Dent County Motors in Salem, Missouri. When that business closed, Dennis and Brenda moved to Lebanon when he took a job in sales at Lindsay Chevrolet. Throughout the next fifteen years, he developed many long-term relationships with co-workers and customers, and Lindsay’s became much more to him than just a place to work. They became like family. Although Dennis loved to sell cars, to him it wasn’t about the sale, it was about the people he served.
Dennis made his profession of faith in Christ as a young man. He always had a love for music and, as a teenager, played the guitar at Revival Tabernacle during the song service. After he and Brenda were married, they began serving together in the music ministry at Corinth Baptist Church. They later became members of New Harmony Church and for the next 25 years he served as Deacon, worship leader, and later as bass player in the Praise Team. Spring and Fall were busy times for him as he led music for many area revivals. An old preacher once said, “When Dennis Nash is leading the singing, he makes you want to sing, even if you don’t want to.”
After moving to Lebanon, he and Brenda continued in music ministry at Lebanon First Baptist Church, where he led worship for a time, and playing guitar in the Praise Team. For the last few years, they have been part of the Heritage Baptist Church family. Each Sunday, you would find Dennis shaking hands and greeting people with a smile, as he made his way to the platform where he ministered in music with a special group of people he loved. Dennis remained faithful in this ministry until recent health issues prevented him from continuing to serve.
Dennis loved his family. To tell a story about what his kids or grandkids did would always put a smile on his face. He and Collin had a special bond because of their mutual love for music. When the youngest grandchild, Eli, couldn’t say Grandpa, Dennis became affectionately known to the ‘littles” as “Pumba”. He was proud of his grandkids and had a knack of loving each one in their own special way.
Dennis was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and a caring friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will remember him for his kindness, good heart, and service to others. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
The service will be broadcast live on the church YouTube account. Those wishing to access the funeral service may do so by going to YouTube and accessing New Harmony Live.
Memorial donations to the Music Ministry at Heritage Baptist Church in Lebanon may be made through the funeral home.
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