Dennis W. Cromwell

Dennis Ward Cromwell, age 69, of Yakima, WA and former longtime Grandview, WA. and Republic, WA. resident went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 in Yakima, WA.  He was born on December 4, 1947 in Longview, WA. the son of Grace Mae (De
Bock) and Ward Fremont Cromwell.  Dennis graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1967. He then went to work for Boeing as an aircraft part painter for one year.  In 1968 Dennis was drafted into the United States Army serving in Korea.  Following his military discharge he married Dee Hawthorne and then returned to work at Boeing for one year before moving to Republic, WA to work as a mechanic with his father at Cromwell’s Automotive for one year. In 1973 Dennis moved to Sunnyside where he worked for North Rupp Seed CO. for a short time. In 1974 he returned to Republic where he worked as a mechanic for the Sand Poil Lumber Company for nine years. In 1983 Dennis went too work for the city of Sunnyside as Supervising Mechanic until his retirement in 2004 when the family moved to Goldendale, WA. During this time he married his childhood sweetheart Oneta Layman on November 11, 1994.   Dennis served as a volunteer firefighter for several cities, Outlook, WA for three years, Republic, WA. for nine years, where he received the Fireman of the Year Award in 1978.   Dennis loved cars especially Mopars. From the time he was five years old he was going to junkyards with his dad.  Dennis restored many old cars, trucks and tractors.  He was always bringing home an old car and restoring it.  One of his restored cars was a 1970 Charger that went to Sweden.  In 2006 he completely restored his 1936 Plymouth “Betsy” that he had since 1964.  Dennis drove his race car on the Eagle Track in Republic from 1977 to 1983, winning many trophies including Season Championship.  Dennis also loved motorcycles and owned and rode several.  He and Oneta loved to travel in their RV, seeing all fifty states, Canada and Mexico.

Dennis was an Eagle member and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3482.  He is preceded in death by his father, Ward Cromwell and son-in-law, Daniel Hopper. 

Dennis is survived by his wife, Oneta Cromwell of Yakima, WA, mother Grace Cromell  and son, Dennis “D.J.” Cromwell (Sara) all of Republic, WA., son Tony Cromwell (Christine) of Prosser, WA and daughter Dina Armstrong (Jamison)  of Sunnyside, WA, step son, Jeff Kehoe and step daughter, April Morrow.   He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, five step grandchildren, six brothers Bill, Ward “Frankie”, Monte, Glenn, Brett and Kim, six sisters Connie, Barbara “Bobbie”, Adele, Diane, Laura and Dawn.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2016 from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM and on Monday, December 12, 2016 from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM at the Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 12:00 PM at the Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. with burial to follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA. Those wishing to sign Dennis's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Homes in care of arrangements.

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