Dennis Sexton

Dennis Earl "Butch" Sexton, 66, of Cape Girardeau was called away by our Lord on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010.

He was born Oct. 5, 1943, in Chaffee, Mo., son of Earl and Faye Martin Sexton. At age 18, Dennis married Barbara Jaco in December 1961.

A Vietnam veteran, he joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to Aerial Ordinance Detail about the aircraft carrier US Coral Sea (CV-43).

After leaving the Navy, he relocated his family to Ventura County, Calif., and later worked at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme, Calif., and Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif., as a certified welder and fabricator in the public works department. Retiring with 20 years of civil service, he then returned to his home state of Missouri.

He is survived by his partner in life, Barbara Sexton of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Rhonda Sexton of Cape Girardeau, Diana Neilson and husband Nick of Oxnard, Calif.; three grandchildren, Stephanie, Tiffany and Donald Buttelwerth of Cape Girardeau.

His expertise was often sought out. As a skilled welder and fabricator, he could design and build just about anything. He treasured his family; grandchildren; the open country; fishing; his Harley; his dog, Lady Bug; and being around friends.

He was greatly loved and will be extremely missed by so many. A loving father who never told his daughters that they couldn't do something because they were girls, he taught them to fish, ride motorcycles, water ski and appreciate nature.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Glinda Bass.

A memorial service will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at 533 W. Highland Drive in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Missouri Veterans Home or Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

Announcement courtesy of Autumn Funerals and Cremations in Carson City, Nev.