Dennis Mahood

Dennis Dean Mahood, my grandfather, was one of the sweetest men I met, or at least how I remember him. He was my hero, storyteller, and first best friend. my grandfather had an interesting and hard life, I still remember the stories he would tell me as a kid. He would do as much as possible and do it to the best of his ability. As he has passed I have him in my mind every day so I want to tell the stories of him.

FamilyfamilyDennis Mahood, my grandfather, was born June 29, 1946, in Canton Pennsylvania to Terrence and Eloise Mahood. He had 2 siblings, a brother Terry Mahood, and a sister Joyce Dyess. He was book-smart rather reading and learning than going out exploring. After college Dennis worked for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) He would go around to farms and industries to make sure government money was used properly and ensure the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs. Until he joined the Navy to serve in the Vietnam War. After being injured in the war he was sent home where he found out his family had moved to New York so he soon followed, in New York, he met my grandmother a waitress at the time named Kathie L. Van Tyle who he would marry on August 10, 1973, in Elmira, New York. He would adopt Kathie's daughter, Marcia, a year later they would have two twin boys David and Dennis Jr. in when the boys were 4 months old he was sent back to war. During his time there he was exposed to Agent Orange and gained Parkinson's' disease, stopping his ability to move any part of his lower body, and a struggle to move in arms, in his 30s he kept pushing trying to learn as hard as he could to walk and move again for his family.

I remember even though nothing he did got him back to walking and moving the same way again he loved to still get out of the house when he could he loved to be on boats he loved the view of the sea and the dolphins jumping. Mexican food was legendary to him every time he had it he said this is the best thing I've ever eaten. He had the biggest sweet tooth his favorite being snowballs. He did so much with his grand-kids and tried to do so much he could even if it hurt him but doing so much burnt him out and he only got weaker and weaker until his whole body stopped and he died at the age of 68 on Monday, June 1, 2015, at his home in Troy, Texas, I was only 7 when I found out he died but it hurt more then anything. Even after his death, I stayed in his room playing even if it was by myself. My mom told me how she would have to carry me back to my room at night from his bed because I refused to leave it by myself.

I Loved my grandfather; I spent hours in his room just sitting on the bed telling him all sorts of stories and watching TV with him. Even though he couldn't move much he was always my best friend and playmate. Everyone who knew him said he was intimidating, he was when he wanted but I loved him no matter what. you ask me “How do I remember him?” I remember him as the goofiest and sweetest man I know. My favorite memories are walking in and hearing him scream “BABY DOLL!” from the back of the house i hold that nickname and his memories close to my heart and I will never forget my grandfather no matter how time changes.