Gary M. Dent

On the morning of May 11, 2022, Gary Malcolm Dent passed from this life into the next at the age of 74, after a short illness. Gary was the only child born to Malcolm and Haru Dent of Hyattsville, MD. He was a graduate of Northwestern High School, class of '66. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Jennifer Schreiner, on Valentine's Day '69, Gary enlisted in the USAF, where he proudly served his country for 24 years. While working 13 years among the enlisted ranks, he painstakingly worked to earn his college degree and ultimately graduated with a BA from Hawaii Pacific College in '82, soon after which he graduated Officers' Training School with "distinguished" standing and received his commission, retiring in Aurora, CO in '93 as a Captain. 

Gary was a devoted husband to his wife, Jennifer, for over 53 years and was a loving father to their three children. In '97, he and Jennifer moved to Westcliffe, CO, where they spent the last half of their life together, and where Gary happily served the community as a mechanic at Westcliffe Petroleum. There he met many of the townsfolk and loved sharing with them his military and life-experiences, as well as his favorite sport--4 wheeling in the mountains of CO and UT. Gary took great joy in sharing pictures of his adventures (as well as creative ideas and vast mechanical knowledge) with fellow-enthusiasts; and looked forward to riding his ATV in the town parades with his riding partner and best buddy, Presley (the couple's yellow lab), perched in the custom riding box behind him. Gary will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Jennifer; their three children: G. Scott Dent, Christa Dent Siebersma, Ryan Christopher (Dent) Matsudaira; and four grandchildren: Amber, Sarah, Abigail, and Chase. A celebration of his life is being planned for the community in Westcliffe at First Baptist Church. Interment, with military honors, will take place at Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO. Both dates are yet to be determined, but public notice will be given for each. 

Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, July 9, 2022, at the First Baptist Church of Westcliffe, 410 S. 6th Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gary M. Dent, please visit our floral store.