Dennis E. Scranton, age 98, of Miles City, MT

In the early morning hours of January 25, 2023, just shy of his 99th birthday, Dennis Eugene Scranton passed away peacefully at Holy Rosary Healthcare, surrounded by his family, who he loved fiercely.

Dennis was the firstborn of Eugene Laurence and Alta Mae Scranton, born in the springtime at 9:15pm on April 12th, 1924, in Hughson, California. Dennis liked to be first and didn’t let his younger sisters Pat and Carol forget that fact. Hughson held a great many memories for Dennis and is also where he returned with grandchildren Shaynie, Shay and Shaylee in 2017. He loved having one more visit with his California family at Mike and Julia’s house which he described as “heaven with a place to fish.”

People who knew Dennis when he was young would tell you he was smart as a whip and a bit of a smart aleck, but always in good spirit. He wouldn’t back down for doing the right thing, especially if it meant helping a friend or one of his family members.

Likewise, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, the teenage Dennis did not backdown. He wanted to stand up and do the right thing for his country. Dennis was a proud, patriotic American, and that attack lit a fire in him. At age 17, Dennis graduated early from high school. He and his friend Buddy decided to enlist in the military and join the war efforts. You see, Dennis and Buddy might have caused some minor trouble in school; so together they agreed that principal Felix might be happy to get them out of high school early. Dennis completed the last half-hour credit he needed to graduate, and after receiving his letter of completion which would be followed by a diploma in June, he visited the San Francisco U.S. Navy recruiting office in January 1942 to learn more about their radio operator program.

Two hours later, Dennis was a Radioman 2nd Class assigned to Radio Material School, which he completed the summer of 1942. His previous knowledge allowed him to skip the first three months of the course. Young Dennis’ ability to learn and do things faster than experience men from four to 20 years older than he, made him standout. Dennis’s mother would later receive a letter from the Secretary of the Navy confirming that he was the youngest Second-Class Petty Officer in the entire Navy at the age of 17. Base pay for a new enlistee was $21 a month. Dennis’ rating entitled him to $72 per month, which he thought was a fabulous sum at the time.

Flying had been one of Dennis’ most cherished desires. He once walked three miles to a local airport and paid fifty cents for a 15-minute flight in a tri-motor plane. After Morse Code training, Dennis saw his dream of flying come true by being assigned to Aviation Radio School in Memphis, Tennessee. After about 13 months as a student in the Navy, Dennis became a teacher for radio and radar in a converted twin engine SNB-2 and was later assigned as a radar and radio instructor in the classroom and inflight PB4Y-1s.

After two and a half years in the Navy, Dennis was elated to receive orders to report to the PBM squadron in New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Upon second thought, Dennis realized that the large twin-engine flying boat would be well south of where active combat was occurring and the assignment became much less acceptable. Dennis, determined to be where the action was, not only obtained reassignment to Crew One, Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-108, but had the unexpected honor of flying with the Commander himself. Iwo Jima March 1945 would be the crew’s first real combat battle followed by several others. Dennis wasn’t afraid to fight for his country and defend our freedom.

Dennis received a Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals prior to discharge along with two Battle Stars. About five years after returning to civilian life, Dennis received a letter requesting he attend a formal ceremony for the presentation of another Air Medal. Suspicious that it was a ploy to get him into the Korean Conflict that was currently ongoing, Dennis asked that his 7th medal be mailed.

Upon Honorable Discharge in October 1945, Dennis was met by his wife and first son, Craig, who was already walking. Craig was later joined by his sister, Karen. After a five-day vacation, Dennis quickly found a job with Litton Industries in the electronics field. Dennis’s family had all been carpenters and contractors. After about six months and with his father’s urging, Dennis returned to the family construction business back in Hughson. Never one to be content sitting still or not learning something new, Dennis tried his hand in a few other careers including selling insurance, working in a gas company, and selling used cars; but in the end, his working years indeed did bring him back to his family roots in the construction industry; a skill he would pass onto his own children and grandchildren.

After moving to western Montana, a place he loved for its beautiful mountains and the best hunting and fishing; Dennis had two more children, Denise and Landon. He loved both of his kids so much and would brag about their accomplishments to anyone who would listen. Dennis was proud of their good work ethic, having successful careers, accomplishments with owning businesses, and successes in raising good kids of their own. He was especially proud of Landon’s skull business. Dennis along with their Mom, Tuey, proudly helped both kids obtain their first homes in Miles City. Dennis enjoyed helping with the remodeling and additions at both of his kids’ homes.

More than anything, Dennis loved his family and was so very proud of his kids and grandkids. He tried hard to make it to their extracurricular activities and although he often said he wouldn’t walk across the street to see a rodeo or parade; he did in fact several times find himself across town to watch Shaylee’s rodeo queen appearances at rodeos and parades. Dennis was so proud when Dylan chose a career path in the construction industry and was tickled when Shay started working with Dylan. He had recently told Denise with a twinkle in his eye that in five years they would be “Clark and Clark Construction.” Shay and Dylan had both recently fixed something at his house and Dennis proudly stated, “When the Clarks show up things get done.” Dennis was very proud of Shaynie for her academic and career accomplishments. He so appreciated her calls, visits and sharing a glass of his favorite wine, Roscato, with her. He thoroughly enjoyed his trip to California with Shaynie. The two younger kids almost didn’t make the cut but at the end of the trip, Dennis was very glad he took them, too. Dennis frequently told Denise what good kids and grandkids he had. He had many loving nicknames for them; “hotshot” for son Landon, and Denise was “Peanut.” “Kid”, “guy”, “peanut junior” and “high pockets” were terms of endearment for the grandkids. He was excited for the arrival of great grandkids in 2023.

The Miles City grandchildren frequently stopped by for lunch. They never knew if Grandpa would be fixing a batch of beans and weenies or catching a pizza box on fire in the oven but either way, they looked forward to it and so did he. Dennis’s eyes lit up when he saw youngest grandson, Jackson. In 2018, Granddaughter Tara and her husband Adam made a trip from New Jersey to see Dennis which he thoroughly loved. He also enjoyed her phone calls.

Dennis had lifelong friends and incredible memories from his days in WWII, so much so that he wrote and published two books sharing stories about those experiences. The first book, Crew One A World War II Memoir of Patrol Bombing Squadron VPB-108, and the second, more of an autobiography, The Great Depression, Fond Memories of a Rich Kid.

Prior to losing much of his vision, Dennis loved road trips and photography. He liked tinkering on pretty much anything electronic, but especially the computer. That opened a new world for him in the 1990s, where he began emailing old friends and more distant relatives. He learned how to download music in his 70s and made new friends from all over the country. When social media came out Dennis enjoyed using Facebook. He especially enjoyed posting pro-republican memes which caused an occasional disagreement that he didn’t mind at all. He very much enjoyed getting people fired up. Another one of his favorite trips that Denise accompanied him on was the WWII Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2012. Being able to spend time with Craig and Tara on this trip made it even better.

Dennis thrilled in nabbing a great deal, and that meant he loved going to garage sales. He would often tell a friend or family member off for not listening to him and shopping around for a great deal. He enjoyed fishing, photography, gardening and loved listening to classical music – loudly! Dennis loved hunting with his family, and with their help, he was able to continue until he went on his last antelope hunt with son Landon and grandson Jackson in 2020. He enjoyed weekly dinners out with Denise and her family and wasn’t likely to pass up a Bloody Mary with extra green olives.

An avid Trump supporter, Dennis’ car could easily be spotted with the Trump window cling on the rear window. Being such a loyal Trump supporter, it seemed fitting that Dennis was one of three Montana electors for the Electoral College of the 2016 Presidential Election. He was also an alternate delegate at the 2016 GOP Convention in Cleveland. Aging might have slowed his step, but didn’t stop his stride, because he made trips to Cleveland and Washington DC to stand up for his belief in this country. He was a proud patriot from the time he was a boy, as an active 17-year-old that enlisted in WWII, and, as a presidential campaign alternate delegate. He believed in hard work, using your mind and going for your own dreams. He lived a full life with rich experiences. He wanted everyone to share the vision to “Make America Great Again.”

As a staunch Republican, Dennis enjoyed watching Hannity, Fox News and O’Reilly. Family friend, Terry Lane, would frequently be called to assist with the task of getting Dennis’s television set-up working again when he had pushed too many wrong buttons. Son-in-law Shayne always received the blame for the set-up mishaps. There’s a saying “blame it on the rain” but in Dennis’ house that would be “blame it on Shayne.”

Shadow, Dennis’ black lab dog, was very important to him and his family made sure Shadow got to visit Dennis at the hospital the day before he passed away.

Dennis’ deep roots in the construction industry would bring his family in Miles City to fulfill one last request for him; to build him a coffin. After careful construction completed by Dylan; finishing touches were completed by Landon, Shayne, Denise, Shay and Shaylee with 3-year-old Jackson even getting in on the wood burning and sanding. Jared Harden finished the edges and Bret Aye supplied the Navy Emblem and Naval Aircrewman Wings emblem. Dennis would be so proud and honored that his family carried out this long standing and recently mentioned request for him.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Alta, sisters Pat and Carol, son Craig and great granddaughter, Gabriella.

Dennis is survived by his son Landon Scranton and daughter Denise Clark (Shayne) of Miles City, daughter Karen Roa (Tom), of California, grandchildren Jackson Scranton, Shaylee Clark and Shay Clark of Miles City, Shaynie McRae (Cory) of Wyoming, Dylan Clark (Ashlee) of Miles City, Tara Gibbons (Adam), and Chellise Scranton of New Jersey, Derek Scranton (Jennifer) of Florida, and Jasmine Robinette of Rosebud, MT. Dennis is also survived by Denise and Landon’s Mom, Tuey Scranton and Jackson’s Mom, Kelsee Scranton, both of Miles City, great grandson Brian of New Jersey, nephews Mike Bava (Julia), Greg Bava (Patrice), niece Cindy Spiro (Steve) all of California, and a daughter-in-law Sandy Scranton of Florida. Dennis is also survived by several great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Trotsky who lovingly cared for Dennis since the early 1990s, Wel-Home Health especially Tara who Dennis really appreciated and Marlus for her support, as well as Dr. Tun at Holy Rosary who came in long after hours to assist the family with options and the nursing staff, especially nurses Beverly and Vicky. Special thanks also to Heidi Zentz whose compassion during Dennis’ hospitalizations has been sincerely appreciated.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Military graveside services will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. Condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday January 31, 2023

Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, MT 59301

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Graveside Service with Full Military Honors

11:00 a.m.

Wednesday February 1, 2023

Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery

259 Cemetery Rd.

Miles City, MT 59301

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