Eugene H. Denton

Eugene H. Denton, 77, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011, after a brief battle with leukemia.

Gene was born on November 13, 1933, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Albert and Bertha Denton. He was County Administrator in Johnson County, Kansas, from 1985-1998, and previously served as the City Manager of Wichita, Kansas, for nine years, and as Assistant City Manager in both Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Missouri and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. He was also a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Cologne in Germany, a Life Member of the International City/County Management Association, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He proudly served in the United States Army as an Artillery Officer in Korea.

Gene never knew a stranger and was well regarded in his profession with numerous awards and distinctions. He was devoted to his church and the Johnson County Rotary Club, and he volunteered with several charities and organizations.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather ("Papaw"). He will be dearly missed by his wife of 48 years, Eskridge "Gigi" Denton; their children Regena and Jon McFarland, Walter and Kathy Denton; and their grandchildren Anna McFarland, Craig McFarland, Ally Denton, and Jenna Denton. He is also survived by three sisters, Norma Brooner, Marjorie Ruoff, Grace McVicker, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sympathies may be expressed in the form of memorial contributions to Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or to the KU Endowment for Master's in Public Administration student scholarships.

Celebration of Life Service

A celebration of his life will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church, 9300 Nall Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas.