Larry David Denton, age 81, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at his home. He was born August 8, 1941, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, the son of Robert Denton and Effie Thompson Denton. Larry graduated from the Ft. Scott High School and Ft. Scott Junior College. Larry became interested in pharmacology and worked for a time at Hurst Drug Store in Ft. Scott. He went on to graduate from UMKC School of Pharmacy. While in pharmacy school, Larry caught the attention of fellow pharmacy student, Brenda Dull. Larry and Brenda were married on July 4, 1964, at Humansville, Missouri.
Together, Larry and Brenda owned, and operated Ft. Scott Drug Store located on Ft. Scott’s Main Street. They later found it necessary to relocate and built a new pharmacy on the corner of First and National and renamed the business, Denton’s Pharmacy. When it was built it was only the second pharmacy in the state of Kansas with a drive through window. The Denton’s later sold their business; however, Larry remained active in pharmacy work. At the time of his death, Larry was still working part-time at the Auburn Long-Term Care Pharmacy in Nevada, Missouri. Larry loved the Ft. Scott Community and had served for twenty-four years on the USD #234 School Board and in earlier years was active with the Ft. Scott Rotary Club. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ft. Scott.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda, of the home; three sons, David Denton (Nancy) of New York, New York, Mark Denton (Sarah) of Frontenac, Kansas and Steve Denton (Stephanie) of Ft. Scott, Kansas and seven grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Robert Denton of Topeka, Kansas. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Leland and Elmer Denton.
There was cremation. A private gathering to celebrate Larry’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ft. Scott Community Foundation and left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
