Aug. 28, 1939 – July 7, 2018

NATCHEZ — Memorial services for Dennis Gould Brellenthin, 78, who died Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Merit Health Natchez, will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Laird Funeral Home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Mr. Brellenthin was born Aug. 28, 1939, in Anoka, Minn., the son of Donald and Norma Brellenthin.
He grew up in Anoka and was a 1957 graduate of Anoka High School. Shortly after graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed mostly at Columbus Air Force Base where he worked on electronic systems of B52s. Later he would teach electronics to young technicians.
After serving his country, he went to work for IBM at Cape Kennedy. He worked on a number of moon missions. He received a Manned Flight Awareness Award for preventing an explosion on the launch pad. His award included a trip to Houston to visit with the astronauts. Along with others, his name was put on microfiche and placed in a footprint on the moon. He continued to work for IBM in Vermont, Virginia and Texas. He worked on the development of RAM for computers.
Brellenthin was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Arla Boelter.
Survivors include his wife, Fran; two sons, Donald and Larry and wife, Willa, all of Virginia; four sisters, Sharon Boelter and Barbara Kirk of Minnesota and Linda Nordstrom and Bonnie Schmidt of Alaska; and his chosen granddaughter, Tory Rawlins of Natchez.
Brellenthin was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He inspired all who knew him with his can-do attitude. He loved his God, his family and his country. His voice and presence will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a random act of kindness to someone.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com.