Obituary of John L. Denton

John Leet Denton, Sr., 76, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family.

John Leet Denton was born on August 25, 1947 in Saginaw, Michigan to Edward Brady, Sr. and Dorothy Ann (Sharpe) Denton. He married Jean Catherine Doriean on August 21, 2004, she survives him.

John was a graduate of Arthur Hill High School and received his BA from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit School of Law.

He practiced law for 18 years before going into the insurance business as an Employee Benefit Consultant. John was on the Health Alliance Plan Agent Advisory Council. He served as a trustee on the Saginaw Board of Education and was a member of the St. Stephen’s School Board. At Michigan State University, he was a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, and was a former member of the Saginaw Country Club and the Saginaw Club. He served six years in the Army National Guard and was a former member of the honor guard for the American Legion Post #439.

John was adventurous and loved to travel. In high school, John participated in the Saginaw Youth for Understanding Teenage Exchange Program. He spent three months in Sweden with side trips to Denmark and Norway. A highlight of that trip was waterskiing in a fjord with the Swedish Junior Downhill Champion. At twenty years old, he traveled with his family to England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and the Azores where he went skin diving.

He enjoyed skiing in Aspen, Vail, and Arapahoe Basin. John and Jean loved to go to Watervale in Northern Michigan, a resort that John had been going to since 1953. Together, John and Jean also traveled through most of the United States and spent three weeks in Italy, loving Tuscany and the Chianti Classico Region. John also loved reading, cooking, and gardening.

Surviving are his wife, Jean Denton; one son, John (Kaitlin) Denton, Jr.; one brother, Robert Denton, his canine companion, Cooper, and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, E. Brady Denton, Sr. and Dorothy Ann Denton-Borchard, as well as one brother, E. Brady Denton, Jr.

VISITATION: Family and friends will gather at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State) on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. At the conclusion of the visitation, Military Honors will be conducted under the auspices of the United States Army and American Legion Post #439.

MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to American Legion Post #439 or the Saginaw Community Foundation.

Deisler Funeral Home is honored to serve the Denton family. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.