On May 14, 2021, Dennis Lawrence Mangrum passed away after a six-year battle with Vascular Dementia. He was born November 13, 1943 in Murray, Utah, to Lawrence E (Bud) Mangrum and Ramona Beckstead Mangrum, but somehow always managed to remain age 50. He was a proud West High Panther Class of '62 who excelled in football and wrestling, earning all-state honors in both. He continued his education at the University of Utah where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He played football and wrestled while earning a degree in Civil Engineering. He later earned a degree in law from the U of U. He practiced patent law in California, then opened his own law practice in Thousand Oaks, California. He later moved to Utah and continued practicing law until his retirement one year ago. He was an avid reader and a gifted and prolific writer who had four novels published. As a youth he loved to paint and many of his oil paintings are hanging in his home today. He was passionate about baseball and spent countless hours coaching his sons and throwing batting practice to them. He was the volunteer pitching coach at Brighton High School for many years and had a profound effect on many young men. He loved the Red Sox, his MIT shirts and his shoes; hamburgers, M & M's, rootbeer, Frosted Flakes and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and was even known to share some on occasion. Perhaps his greatest love was that of giving and he could often be found picking up strangers, giving them rides and of course a Book of Mormon and whatever money he had in his pocket. Christmases at the Mangrum home were his very favorite time of year. Gigantic 3-foot-high socks were the highlight for each family and he had to keep buying gifts to make sure they were all filled to the top. His heart was pure and filled with love.
Dennis was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fulfilled a life-long dream when he and his wife, Liz, served a mission in Auckland, New Zealand from September 2009 to March 2011. He was the Associate Area Legal Counsel during the day, but at night he was a passionate missionary, serving alongside some amazing young missionaries in the Aeroview Ward.
Dennis married Anne Blakesley while in college and had six children who survive him: Nichole Jones (Dewey), Brooke Henze (David), Shane (Kaylene), Travis (Alli), Micah (Natalie), and Bryn Katseanes (Jeff). He later married a fellow West High Panther, Elizabeth Ence Bernard, aka "the boss," and together they have a son Creed (Sidney) who survive him. He is also survived by his step-children Lindsey Krassner (Michael), Tom Bernard (Korbi), and Casey Jennings (Stuart).
Dennis loved his twenty-six grandchildren even though he never admitted having any. Surviving him are: Summer, Lacey, Holden, Easton, Isabelle and Merit; Porter, Braeden, and Prestin; Cade, Micah, Emme and Jack; Chance, Eli and Baer; London, Mick, Ash and River; Lion; Steele and Slater; Nico and Milla; and Oscar. In addition are six great-grandchildren: Maren, Graham, Milton, Carson, Emmett and Oliver.
Three younger brothers survive Dennis: Doug (Maureen), Collin (Ann), and Kelly (Laura). He was preceded in death by his parents and his favorite cousin, Jack Mangrum.
A memorial service (he didn't want a funeral) will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Larkin Sunset Gardens. To view previously held services please visit https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/cggpNeB6dc8c27MSEFbfS-XFphtiPm9qse6BsA5GFgsBwFDwOwr5krdSainCSHRf.DWbT0TPyHOghG2v2?startTime=1622145117000
Many thanks to the IHC Hospice Staff for their swift response and tender care of Dennis for 2 short days and for the friends (especially his hero Al Evans) and family who surrounded him with love.
Our heartfelt condolences for you loss, may your memories give you peace.
My condolences to your family. I am his cousin, Colleen, Lawana's daughter. I have good memories of Dennis and their family while growing up. I smile when I think of him and hope he gets a chance to say hi to my husband Jim up there in heaven. Love and hugs to all of you.
Liz:
I'm so sorry to hear that Dennis has passed. I lost Carol May 16th a year ago to Lewy Body Dementia. Please accept my condolences! Your friend, Vic Fowler
Uncle Dennis will be missed. I regret not spending more time with him and his family. It was difficult to get any type of affection from him and will always treasure the moment he told my dad what a wonderful young women I had become. I also told him how much I enjoyed reading one of the books he wrote and he gave me a copy of the other books he wrote and seemed to enjoy being able to give them to me to read. He was loved and will be missed.
My heart breaks learning about the loss of a great man. He broke the mold when he was made. I know he is now up there telling some of the greats from baseball how they could of improved their playing abilities. He was a great mans and he taught me a lot about baseball and being a great person. To his family I love you guys and I am here if you need anything.
Liz, that's a very nice tribute. Dennis was bigger than life and he will be missed by all!
My deepest condolences and love to you, Liz, and all of your family. Dennis and I have probably said 2-3 sentences to each other over the years yet I knew him through you and Alli and Travis and the kids, through entertaining stories and witnessing interactions. My heart mourns with all of you. God Bless.
Condolence to the Mangrum Family on the passing of Dennis.
Many wonderful memories of West High with Dennis. Football, wrestling, and class experiences will never be forgotten.
We had the good fortune of getting together in Salt Lake City a few years ago.....Dennis was kind enough to share his books with me and I'm proud to be sharing them with my family!
RIP Dennis!!
Spencer Saito.......Honda Motor Company Retired
Liz I was so sorry to hear of Dennis' passing. He will always be the "Ultimate Baseball Coach" he was so committed to the boys and making sure they understood all aspects of being a team player. The trip to Cooperstown will always be a great memory. Heart felt condolences to you, Creed and your entire family. He will be missed by so many 💙
So sorry, Liz, to learn of Dennis's death. I can't remember how many times he and I chatted across the fence. We much enjoyed being your next-door neighbors for 25 years.
It is with deep sadness to have lost a family friend and a very eager missionary! He helped change my husbands path in which he was headed and welcomed him back to church. Everyone of our kids were affected by his thoughtfulness and support whether it was sports or other situations ...He was my home teacher after Mike passed we were blessed to have him in our ward in California and when we moved to Sandy , Utah.He and Anne raised a great family, as did Liz and Dennis ... Their kids are wonderful examples of good! He did a lot of good in his life time.very happy to have had him as a friend! I pray that. The Lord will bless And comfort the wonderful family he leaves behind . God bless you all !we are thankful for his and your friendship s God be with him til we meet again... love Mike , Linda and family 😘👍❤️🙏😄
Liz and the entire Mangrum Obama,
My deepest condolences. You and Mr Mangrum will always hold a special place in my heart. You treated me and Shane’s entire baseball team like family. Always a place we could go and find comfort
A very touching tribute. I know his celebration of life will be special
David
I sure have missed having Dennis next door coming over and giving me a hard time and sharing his candy with me. He was fun and playful and will surely be missed at the office.
Sincerely,
Sandy Sharp
Dear Liz, we felt so bad to hear about Dennis. We have so many , many memories of him in the neighborhood, on the ball field, all the letters he would right about each ball player and just being friends. He was a good man.
We are thinking about you and your family at this time and we hope all your memories will always put a smile on your face.
Dave & I can’t make it to the service because Dave is having surgery on his hand today at the exact same time of the service. We feel so bad ! But our thoughts & prayers are with you. All our love,
Dave & Jo Doezie
Mangrum Family, my heart is filled with sorrow and gratefulness at the same time. Dennis was an inspiration and guide for me during an integral part of my life. He, in many ways, helped me become who I am today. Besides my own father, he had a great impact and was a huge influence in my life. Words can’t express the feelings of gratitude I have for him, as well as for Micah and Creed, whom I had the honor of being a small part of their life. He will always be with me, especially when I’m on a baseball field. Much love to you all.
Mark Kleven
Sad to hear of Dennis' passing. My memories of him include laughing ourselves silly while under an elementary school desk (Lowell) during a nuke attack practice in the third grade. That was a long time ago and after High School at West i lost touch with him. He probably wouldn't remember me but I still think of that laughing fit we had under those desks. My love to Elizabeth and family.
Orval Fox
Class of 1962
West High
Many condolences to Liz and the whole Mangrum family. I am so glad I got to meet you both during your time here on your New Zealand mission and I will never forget the wonderful memories I have of our time spent together. He always encouraged me with my education and with church as well. I will never forget the time he hung up on me once when I called him "old" (as most of us know that word didn't exist to him). Sending much love your way during this time and I know you'll see him again in the eternities ❤️ - Casey Faumuina