Springer, Dennis
SPRINGER, Dennis Garner
Dennis Garner Springer passed away peacefully in the comfort of home hospice with his beloved wife and daughter by his side on October 13, 2021, after an extended illness.
He was born in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, on November 19, 1937 to William Dennis and Willeene Garner Springer. The family spent most of his boyhood in Memphis, Tennessee, where Dennis developed his love for Memphis music legends, Southern Cuisine, and fishing in neighborhood ponds and later boating on the Mississippi River. He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1956.
Dennis went on to attend Memphis State University, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance in 1960. While there, he met the love of his life, Jennie Lindsey. At first, she agreed to meet only at the library, but he persisted, and the couple married in 1960. They enjoyed a caring, resilient marriage of 61 years and were blessed with two children, Jennifer Springer Cook of Duluth and the late Christopher Garner Springer.
Dennis served in the National Guard from 1961-1965 and was called for active duty in the Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In his professional career, Dennis was a corporate executive with two national medical manufacturer/distributor companies, Searle-Will Ross and Whittaker General Medical. At Searle-Will Ross, he served as Vice President/General Manager of Atlanta/Southeast Division and later as Vice President/General Manager of Sales for Central US Division. He was Vice President of National Accounts and Vice President/General Manager of Southeast for Whittaker General Medical.
He was past president of University of Memphis Alumni Association, and the Springer family enjoyed hosting alumni dinners and the Memphis Tigers' Cheerleading Squad during game weekends with Georgia Tech. Both Dennis and Jennie served as Elders and Deacons at Peachtree Christian Church and members of the official board. Dennis also served as Chair of the Worship Ministry for five years. Dennis and Jennie traveled several times to Russia with the Global Thinking Project, and in return hosted teachers from Moscow School 710 in their home.
Dennis was a devoted husband, caring father and a lifelong animal lover. He was a classic Southern gentleman, with an infectious joy for living. He was a committed fan of the University of Memphis Tigers and the Atlanta Braves. Dennis, or "Denny" to his two grandchildren, was always quick to smile and show love to his family, through preparing delicious food and planning trips to attractions of South Florida. A lover of the water, he spent time with family in their seasonal home in Bonita Beach, Florida after retirement.
He is survived by wife, Dr. Jennie Springer, daughter Jennifer Springer Cook, son-in-law Jeffrey Sidney Cook, grandchildren Lindsey Rogers Cook (married to Kevin Sipe), Hoboken, New Jersey, and Davis Sidney Cook (fiancé Megan Kowalec), Duluth, and cousin Geneva GarnerTayloe Chandler of Memphis. He is preceded in death by son, Christopher Garner Springer,2008. The family expresses gratitude to Dennis' caregivers, especially to Joyce Metayer-Tonge.
Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Service on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 1:30 PM at Peachtree Christian Church, 1580 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta GA 30309. Dennis will be inurned in the Columbarium at Peachtree Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dennis' memory to Peachtree Christian Church Heritage Fund, Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, or Habitat for Humanity.
