Jerry L. Denniss, age 88, of Middleton WI. and recently of Houston TX., died on November 23rd 2016. He was born August 24th 1928 in Colorado Springs CO., the only son of Percy L. and Rubie E. (Hubbard) Denniss.

Jerry was first married to former Virginia Lee Hall in Colorado Springs in December of 1952, who predeceased him. He later married his second wife, Joan (Gordon) Owens in New Orleans LA on January 12, 1984 who predeceased him in 1999 after fifteen years of marriage. Since 2001 (until moved to Texas in 2015) Jerry has been in the company of Shirley M. Johnson, of Cambridge WI and cherished his relationship with her and her immediate family and friends.

He graduated Cum Laude with a BS Degree in Geology from Colorado College in 1955 and did graduate studies at the University of Iowa and Columbia University. Jerry was a U.S. Army War veteran and a Third Degree mason in El Paso Lodge 13 of Colorado Springs. He worked for thirty-two years as an Oil and Gas Explorationist based in Louisiana and Texas with Mobil Oil Co. and later with Louisiana Land & Exploration Co., as Vice-President of Exploration where he was responsible for oil and gas exploration activities for the company in numerous domestic and foreign operations. He was also active and chaired the New Orleans Chapter of the American Society of Oceanography and was active member and officer of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and New Orleans Geological Society for many years. Upon retirement from the oil industry, he moved to Madison WI. in 1990.

Jerry enjoyed competing in many sports in high school, college and after graduation. He was an ardent golfer, hunter, boater, fisherman, photographer, scuba diver, coin collector, gardener, traveler, animal and nature lover. A wonderful father to his family, and great friend to those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

In addition to his wives, Jerry was predeceased by a son, Kurt Michael who died in Lake Charles LA. at the age of three and a half years. Survivors include companion Shirley Johnson, two daughters: Sheree (Ron) Priebe of Oregon WI.; Tamela (Denny) Blagrave of Magnolia TX. and two sons: Gregg (Cheryl) Denniss of Houston TX.; Jay (Stephanie) Denniss of Houston TX.; three step-daughters: Kim Owens of Madison WI.; Allyson Murphy of Covington LA.; Heidi Hilliard of Madison WI.; fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.