Obituary for Lt. Colonel Denny Paul Wellington
April 29, 1929 – May 23, 2023
Denny Paul Wellington, age 94, a long time Richland resident, passed away at the Guardian Angel Homes on May 23, 2023 after an illness of dementia.
He was born in Ainsworth, Nebraska, second son of Kathryn Sammons-Wellington and Charles Amos Wellington. He grew up in Nebraska and Montana, and moved to Seattle, Washington where in high school he met his future wife Janice Birkett. They married in March 1950 and were in love for 73 years.
Denny joined the National Guard after high school, and was called into active duty with the United States Army in August 1950. He served for 22 years. While in the Army he attended Omaha University and received his Bachelor of Science degree. He was promoted throughout his career, to the rank of Lt. Colonel. Denny was stationed at Hanford Washington, New York, Texas, California, Alaska, Germany, North Carolina, and Vietnam; where he was awarded a Bronze Star (with a V for valor), and a Purple Heart. After Vietnam he finished his Army career at Redmond, Washington as an advisor to the National Guard. After he retired from the US Army he worked for the US Treasury Department for 20 years.
Denny loved working on cars and anything mechanical, especially his 1954 Corvette which he drove in parades, car shows, and high school homecomings. He was a member of the Sunland Corvette Club and Ye Old Car Club for many years.
He is survived by his wife Janice and their five children; Donalee Wellington (Jack Weis), Mary Harris, Andy Wellington (Donna), Joyce Irby (Pastor Gary Irby), and Bruce Wellington. Also by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Gene Wellington and son-in-law Jerry Harris.
He was a proud and honorable man and we will miss him.
“Welcome home G.I.”
Service will be held at Einans, Tuesday June 6, 2023 at 1:30pm. Reception to follow.