Stuart O. Denslow Dies; Former Sitkan Was 90

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Friday, 27 December 2024 14:36

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Stuart Otis Denslow

Stuart Otis Denslow, who served as Sitka city manager and a vice president of Sheldon Jackson
College, died July 3 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He would have turned 90 on Aug. 18.
He was born on the family farm in Weidman, Michigan, the oldest of four children of Otis Warren and Margaret Peacock Denslow, and a member of the 14th generation of his family born in America; five of his ancestors arrived on the Mayflower. Guided by his parents, he built a life upon his love of his Methodist faith. He met the center of his life, Orriene First, during a Methodist Youth Fellowship roller skating party when she fell in front of him. They were married for 70 years.
Stuart held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in urban planning, and, in 1965, a doctor of philosophy from Michigan State University. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Theta Upsilon national honor societies.
During the Korean War, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army Air Defense.  While serving at Ft. Bliss in the electronics and engineering department he attained the rank of 1st lieutenant. After completing active duty, he served in the Michigan Reserves.
Stuart was active in community affairs throughout his life.
In Oklahoma he was governor of the Oklahoma Society Mayflower Descendants, president of the Oklahoma State Society Sons of the American Revolution, president of the Tulsa Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution, and a George Washington Fellow of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution.
In Sitka, he was a trustee for the Sitka United Methodist Church and oversaw the reconstruction of the church’s roof and building of a new foyer. He volunteered on the Alaska Southeast Conference Board for six years, serving as president 1992-93 when a hazardous waste disposal program was established for Southeast Alaska.
He was stalwart Rotarian for 37 years, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary Foundation of Rotary International;  and president of Sitka Rotary Club.
He was a charter member of the American Planning Association in 1978; and a life member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Colonists.
In Jackson, Michigan, he was elected chairman of the official board of First Methodist Church in October 1966, and the next year was chosen by the Jackson Jaycees as the community’s outstanding young man of 1966. He was director of the Jackson city planning department, and in Rochester, New York, he was on an eight-county regional planning board for several years.
In Kodiak, he was city manager, and  in Anchorage he worked for Maynard & Paarch Architectures as the planning director.
He was city manager in Sitka until August 1992, and retired in 2003 from  Sheldon Jackson College after serving for 11 years as vice president, directing campus land and facilities management. In 2004 he and his partner and wife, Orriene, were 4th of July parade marshals. Over the years he never missed participating in a Memorial Day, 4th of July or Tulsa Veterans Day Parade.
Stuart, and his brother Gary, resurrected their Tulsa SAR Chapter’s color guard in 2010.  He enjoyed immensely wearing his uniform while presenting the U.S. Flag and the Oklahoma State Flag at patriotic events.
Twenty years ago Gary invited Stuart and his wife to move to Oklahoma so the brothers could watch Michigan State University athletic events together. A proud alumnus and enthusiastic follower, he along with Gary cheered on the MSU football and basketball teams.
Stuart was preceded in death by his parents Otis Warren and Margaret Peacock Denslow; his parents-in-law Orrin and Eloida (Johnson) First; daughter, Dr. Brenda Denslow; niece Heather Denslow Swepston; and nephew, Brian Denslow.
Stuart was honored by the achievements of his children and grandchildren, and proud of his family and his ancestors.
He is survived by his son, Mark Stuart Denslow; five grandchildren Julia Perretta, Nate Perretta, Daniel (Alyssa McCullough), Will (Jessi Higgins),  and Chris Denslow; three siblings Carolyn (Keith) Baker of Hudsonville, Michigan, Dean of Texas, and Gary (Lorma Spangler) of Tulsa; nephews Larry First (Linda), Kevin First (Karen), Robert First (Carrie), Scott Baker (Dawn); and nieces Jamie Peay, Cyndi Flaugher, Lorianne Kearney (Jim), Gretchen Denslow, Keri Baker, Holly Kessinger (Chris), and Ginger Denslow Oaks (Pat).
The family expressed appreciation to the Iris Memory Care, Good Shepherd Hospice staff, and caretaker Mel Million of Hearts for Seniors.
Contributions in Stuart’s memory may be made to the Veterans First Fund of the OK Daughters American Revolution (OSDAR), with the memo line indicating Veterans’ 1st Fund.  It should be mailed to: Pam Seapy Treasurer, 505 Willow Branch Rd., Norman, OK 73072-4514.

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