Dennis Evans Baty, 82, of Ennis passed away on August 12, 2023, just days before his 83rd birthday.  Dennis was born September 8, 1940, in Freestone County, Texas to Mary Opal (Tacker) Baty and Landis Evans Baty.  Dennis graduated from Teague High School in 1958 where he played on the football team.  In the early 1960's he moved to Lewisville, Texas and began a career with Western Electric as an installer.  He installed and modified many different types of telephone equipment and operator services positions.  In 1990, he retired after a 30-year career.

Dennis was an avid fisherman and hunter.  He spent most of his free time fishing (and catching) any kind of fish that would bite.  When deer season rolled around everything stopped except DEER HUNTING.  Some of his best memories were made at the deer lease with his hunting buddies and his boys.

Dennis not only coached his sons' football, baseball, and soccer teams but he himself played many sports as an adult including competitive volleyball and slow pitch softball.  He also loved to play (and win) dominoes, especially 42 and Mexican Train.

In 1987, he married Judy, forming a blended family of his two sons, Jeff and Greg, and her children Brent and Shelly.  They celebrated their 35th anniversary this past Christmas Eve.   Dennis and Judy moved to the country near Ennis in 1990 just prior to his retirement.  Dennis became a cattle rancher and remained so until his death.

Dennis loved spending time with his grandkids, attending many sporting events and school activities and teaching them to fish and hunt.  He was also an excellent cook, often barbequing and frying fish for large family or friend's gatherings.  Reading was another activity Dennis enjoyed and he read hundreds of westerns throughout his lifetime.  In the last few years, he looked forward to coffee on the back porch every morning with neighbors John and Ken.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents and survived by his wife of 35 years, Judy, his sister Shelba Lasseter of Lewisville, sons Jeff Baty and wife Cindy of Lantana, Greg Baty of Ennis, stepson Brent Gorman and wife Susan of North Richland Hills, stepdaughter Shelly Adair and husband John of Malakoff, sister in law Sandi Easterling and husband Tim of Red Oak, 9 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, other extended family, and his best buddy, his dog Jake.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, beginning at 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at 10 a.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel of Ennis with Dr. Larry Jinks officiating.

Submitted by family