Denny Ray Padgett, Sr.

Denny Ray Padgett Sr. passed away Thursday Morning, April 20, 2023, at his Moody residence with his family by his side.

A visitation will be 1 to 2 p.m., Monday, April 24, 2023, in the Chapel of Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr., Waco. The funeral service will follow in the chapel at 2 p.m., with Rev. Roger West officiating. Interment will follow in Harris Creek Cemetery in the South Bosque Community of McGregor. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed at www.gracegardensfh.com. Through this site, you are also encouraged to leave a condolence or a fond about memory about Denny Ray.

Denny Ray was born September 8, 1936, in Waco, Texas, the son of the late James Jefferson and Lenora Viola (Carpenter) Padgett. He grew up in Woodway, TX, and graduated from Midway High School in 1956. During his high school years, he excelled in Football, Basketball and Track. He received a scholarship from Baylor University for football and basketball. He held the record for hurdles for some time and he was also part of the All-Centex Super team for 3 years at Midway.

Denny was employed by Owens-Illinois Glass Plant for 35 years as a Foreman. During his time at Owens Illinois, he was a part of their flag football team and won the city-wide industrial league one year. He was also part of the O-I Bowling League for several years. He was considered to be a competitor in all sports and also liked to play golf. He and one of his friends teamed up to win many golf tournaments. He scored many hole-in-one at the Battle Creek Golf course. He enjoyed having competitive golf matches with his friends and would sometimes play as many as 54 Holes in 1 day! Denny loved the outdoors! He also enjoyed yardwork, boating, and fishing.

His friends describe him as being good at any sport he played. He was a family man, who loved his Wife, Rita, his Children and grand-children. Denny was a God-fearing man and considered a good friend and was always there when he was needed. He attended church all through his life and accepted the Lord at a young age. He was a member of Trinity Fellowship in McGregor. Prior to that he was a member of Open Door where he helped on the renovation of the building.

He was preceded in death by his brother, James Padgett; his children, Denny Padgett Jr. and wife, Barbara, John Padgett Sr.; and grandchildren, Jenny Padgett, Jimmy Neal, Bryce Cagle, Shania Mackie; grandson-in-law, Larry Valadez; father-in-law, Jack Maxwell; sister-in-law, Sherry Compton.

Survivors include his wife, Rita; his mother-in-law, Jennie; his sister, Darlene (Elliot) Mattlage; sister-in-law, Jackie Padgett; sister-in-law, Marilyn Walker; brother-in-law, Eddie Compton; three daughters, Denise Padgett and Chuck, Deanna Yeager and husband, Don and Brenna Henry and husband, Clayton; grandchildren, Debbie Hawthorne and husband, Brandon, Erica Padgett, Timothy Padgett and wife, Crystal, Chris Arp, Jay Arp and wife, Angie, Sissy Kneece and husband, Mike, Cody Kneece and wife, Natasha, John Padgett Jr., Chrissy Canady, Brittney Rothwell and husband, Kaelin, Kayla Gonzales and husband, Samuel, Morgan Trettel and husband, Jeremy, Heath Yeager and wife, Melissa, David Ross and wife, Courtney, Joshua Ross, Dustin Henry, Paige Butcher and husband, Jeff; 38 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Active pallbearers will be his grandsons; Chris Arp, Jay Arp, Timmothy Padgett, John Padgett, Jr., Cody Knence, David Ross, Joshua Rosss and Dustin Henry.

Honorary pallbearers will be some of his life-long golfing friends, Dwayne Schwarting, Jack Whitely, Billy Pool, and Billy Ash.

The family extends their special thanks to Providence Hospice: Christian, Kevin, Tish and Laura, for their special care, compassion, and support. Also a very special thanks to Sydney, Erica, Brenna and David for their special care, compassion, and support.

Registry for Denny Ray Padgett, Sr.