Dennis Raymond Messex, Sr.

Dennis Raymond Messex Sr., 76, passed away peacefully at his home to be with his lord and savior on May 17th, 2024, with his devoted wife of 56 years by his side. Born on February 25, 1948, in Great Bend, Kansas, to Roy Johnny and Sophia Messex, Dennis spent his early years traveling across the lower 48 states due to his father’s work as a head driller for a large oil company. He attended high school in Laurel, Mississippi. In 1966, Dennis joined the Army, completing basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, before being stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. It was here that he met the love of his life, Vickie. During his military career, he served with Delta Company 8/7th Hawk Missile Group as a fire control operator and M60 gunner during the Vietnam era. He was also a Green Beret with the 10th Group at White Sands Missile Range, where he trained troops for the Vietnam War. After his military service, Dennis worked for Ling Temco Vought in Grand Prairie, Texas. While planning a move to California, a visit to El Paso, Texas, led to a new career in the sheet metal industry, thanks to his father-in-law, Richard Dotson. Dennis worked in the industry for 25 years across various locals (#188, #270, #49) and retired from Local #67 in Austin, Texas. Dennis later pursued in the late 70’s a new path as a Grade A Sawyer in Clyde, North Carolina. After graduating, he operated a sawmill Mesa Log Homes and 5 D pallet shop in Wilburton, Oklahoma, where he raised his family. He also built log homes in Oklahoma and Texas and worked as a cross-country truck driver briefly, before realizing his true passion was in hands-on work, making people's dreams come to life. A man never afraid of hard work, Dennis found joy in hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family on camping trips and short vacations. He was a devoted husband, proud father, and loving father-in-law. Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Roy Johnny Messex and Sophia Emberty; father-in-law, Richard Dotson; brothers, Michael Messex, James Messex, and David Emberty; grandson, Jeramiah Messex; and nephew, Michael Baysden. He is survived by his loving wife, Vickie Messex; three sons, Dennis R. Messex II and his wife Michelle of Granger, TX; Deane R. Messex of Corpus Christi, TX,; Dustin R. Messex and his wife Lori of New Mexico; grandchildren, Kirsten, Wyatt, Audrey, Destiny, Madalynn, Hunter, Levi, Alana, and Derek; great-grandchildren, Ava and Isaac; his last surviving brother, Brian Messex of Wilburton, OK; mother-in-law, Kathleen Dotson of El Paso, TX; and sister-in-law, Marta Baysden, her husband Jeff Brown, and her children Misty Nagy, Paul Adkins, and Kimberly Castillo of Jacksonville, NC. Dennis's life was a testament to hard work, dedication, and love for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.