Submitted by his Wife

Dennis Cheshire died in route to a house fire in his community.He was driving the fire department’s 18 wheeler water tanker truck‚when the large volume of water in the tanker became unbalanced.This caused the 18 wheeler to roll down an embankment‚ where hewas killed instantly.

Dennis was devoted to his family and to the community. He enjoyed ‘lending a hand’‚ to anyone in need. Dennis always found pride in making someone else have a better day. He had been a member of the Red Oak Volunteer Fire Department for 5 years. He was always willing to participate in any fire department activities.

His mechanic skills came in handy‚ with the upkeep of the department vehicles. He was a member of the board of directors‚ and had been asked to be Fire Chief. However‚ he declined the Fire Chief position‚ and allowed an older gentleman receive the honor. That was just his way. He didn’t want any attention called to himself. All that he wanted to do was to help others and take no credit for a job well done. Our community misses the kind and devoted heart.

Dennis was very proud of his family. He was raised a country boy and never went far from those values and traditions. He did not complain about having to work hard‚ to achieve his dreams. Dennis and Kay were childhood sweethearts‚ and had been married 29 years. Our children were the ‘spotlight’ of his world. Jeremiah and Jessica were living proof that all of his dreams had come true. He enjoyed playing with them‚ and watching them grow into the outstanding people that each one of them became. Dennis would often say with pride‚’ We must have done something right in raising them‚ look how great they turned out!’ As a family we enjoyed ‘family days-out’‚ grilling hamburgers‚ and camping. We enjoyed riding bikes together‚ and have shared so many laughs on family vacations. When Jessica met Steven‚ Dennis found a new friend. And Jessica and Steven’s marriage‚ we were blessed with grandbabies. Beau‚ Xander and Bella were absolutely his pride and joy. Dennis spoiled them beyond all standards. We plan to tell them just how much he loved them‚ as they grow older. Jeremiah loves to play the guitar. We always supported him with his love of music and often visited him as he performed. Jeremiah sung a song for his Daddy at his funeral. Jeremiah also wrote a song as a ‘tribute’ to his father called ‘My Father’s Son’. If you were a member of Dennis’s family or a friend‚ you always knew how much he cared for you.

Dennis died a Hero‚ doing what he loved best — helping others. As his family and friends‚ we miss him greatly. And we will carry him in our hearts forever.

John 15:13 ‘Greater love hath no man than this‚ that a man lay down his life for his friends.’