Dennis McGarity

SIKESTON — Dennis McGarity, age 68, passed away April 23, 2020 at his home in Sikeston, Missouri.

Born March 19, 1952, in Sikeston, he is the son of Barbara Sherrill McGarity Wyman of Essex, Missouri, and the late Edward E. McGarity.

He served in the Missouri National Guard from 1972-78 and attended First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. He was a member of Missouri Agricultural Aviation Association (MAAA), serving as president for multiple years and voted “Operator of the Year” for many years. He was also a member of the Sikeston Masonic Lodge/Shiners and served on the Missouri Rice Council.

On July 7, 1972, he married Vanessa Smith McGarity, she survives of the home in Sikeston.

In addition to his wife and mother, Dennis is survived by four sons, Dennis (Rebecca) McGarity Jr., Jonathan (Kristen) McGarity, Jeremy (Caroline) McGarity all of Sikeston, and Scott (Courtney) McGarity of Essex; one brother, Ralph (Linda) McGarity of Lone Oak, Kentucky; two sisters, Sharon Gill of Jackson, Missouri and Lisa (Doug) Wethington of Picayune, Mississippi; and six grandchildren, Madelynn McGarity, Easton McGarity, Grant McGarity, Rex McGarity, Nora McGarity and Rowland McGarity.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Randy McGarity.

Dennis was a loving and devoted husband, father, Papa, and friend to many. He loved God, flying, farming and his family. He began farming at the age of 10. He started his crop-dusting career in 1975 with his wife, Vanessa, and built it into a successful family business. Out of a lifetime of hard work and achievements, he was most proud of his family.

Dennis was proud to raise his sons to share the same passion for flying and agriculture as he had, and continued to work alongside them every day. He taught them the value of hard work and having pride in what you do. His greatest success was his family.

Visitation will be held Sunday, April 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, where funeral services will be held Monday, April 27 at 10 a.m. James Malloy will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Ponder Funeral Home of Sikeston.

Paid obituary