Obituary:
Dennis Lee Harwell was born in Fresno, California on May 23,
1950 and passed away September 15, 2015 at Chandler Regional Medical Center in
Chandler, Arizona.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, James E Harwell of
Perry, Arkansas, Glenda L Harwell of Bakersfield, California, and his brother,
Richard (Dickie) Harwell of Bakersfield.
Dennis is survived by his siblings, Terry & Denise Harwell
of Modesto, California and Paul & Jennifer Middleton of Coloma, California;
his children, Sam Harwell and Savannah Cirillo of Bakersfield, California and
Tiffany Friedlos of Oakdale, California; and three grandchildren, Logan, Leia,
& Emma Rose.
Dennis attended Norris School and North High School in
Bakersfield, graduating in 1968 before going on to attend Bakersfield College.
He was active in high school and community sports, especially Fast Pitch
Softball where he played for several Bakersfield teams in tournaments all over
the United States. In 1984, while playing for Hudson Supply Company, his team
won the National Championship in Fargo North Dakota, bringing home the MVP
honors. He is an avid golfer and has been a member of many golf clubs
throughout California and Arizona where he enjoyed playing in golf tournaments
and developing lifelong friendships along the way.
Dennis worked in the Title industry for 40 years and was the
Title Manager for Equity Title Agency in Scottsdale, Arizona where he worked
for the past 8 years. He felt at home with his "Title family" in both
California and Arizona, where he will be remembered for his warm and caring
personality, sense of humor, and his infectious laugh.
A
memorial service will be held for Dennis in the chapel at Greenlawn Mortuary, 3700
River Blvd in Bakersfield, Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 10:00am.
Dennis has always wanted to be buried in Bakersfield, next to our brother Dickie. So we made arrangements for that to happen. Jill put together this program for his service - the top is the outside cover, the bottom is the inside...
I talked about Dennis' musical talents (he was an excellent guitar player), his pride in his family, & his devotion to our mother. Terry did a great job of highlighting his sports talents, friendships with many, & how he was not only his best friend, but our father-figure & protector.
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| Dennis' siblings |
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| Dennis' children, Sam & Tiffany |
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| Sam's Savannah & Leia |
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| Grateful to my family who could make it. |
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| Terry's girls |
We all gathered afterwards in one of the conference rooms at the Robobank Arena, where Sam worked. Many old softball & golf buddies came, along with co-workers from SLO & family. They came to share their memories of Dennis...
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| Softball & Golf buddies |
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| Cousins & extended family |
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| Dennis' children & grandchildren |
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| Tiffany, Sam, Terry, & me |
“I’ve learned that goodbyes will always hurt, pictures will never replace being there, thanks is a feeble word, memories forget the hard times, words can never replace feelings, and heroes often go unsung.” Unknown
