Earl Andrews Denney, Jr. went home to be with Jesus on Monday, June 12, 2023, at 2:15 pm. Surrounded by loving family, he passed away peacefully at Hospice of Wichita Falls.

The family will receive friends at a visitation on Thursday, June 15, 2023, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Paul Goodrich, Rev. Don Pellikan and Dr. Isaac Butterworth officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home.

Earl was born to Lida Wilhelmina Biedenharn Denney and Earl Andrews Denney on April 11, 1935, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Earl attended Ben Franklin Elementary, Zundy Junior High, and Old High. He was a proud graduate of the WFHS Class of 1953. Upon graduation, Earl attended Sewanee, but he left because it wasn't "co-ed." He transferred to the University of Texas, where he served as the President of the Omicron chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order.

After graduating in 1957, he moved back to Wichita Falls, where he went to work at the Wichita Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He worked there until 1963, when he moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, to work at the Shreveport Coca-Cola Bottling Company. It was during this time that Earl met the love of his life on a blind date, arranged by his friend, Dick Waggoner. He and Sandra Jo Hunt were married on December 21, 1969, in Shreveport, in the same church where his parents were married.

Earl was living in San Antonio at the time of their marriage, as he had purchased an interest in Stainless Ice Tainer Co. (Sitco), which manufactured soft drink fountain equipment. Earl was Vice-President of the Company from 1966-1969. He and Sandy moved back to Wichita Falls, where he re-established his role working at the "coke plant." He proudly served as manager beginning in 1969 and later President of the company until 1993. It truly was his passion. Sandy and Earl traveled extensively with their family. They spent many summers in Colorado at the C-Lazy-U and the Broadmoor, spring breaks in Hawaii at the "Pink Palace," and countless trips to Walt Disney World. But their home away from home was at Possum Kingdom, where they welcomed countless family and friends for many years.

Earl's devotion to the Coca-Cola bottling business went far beyond just Wichita Falls. He led the acquisitions of Vernon Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Childress Dr. Pepper. He also served as President of Coca-Cola Bottling of Cheyenne, WY, and assistant manager of Shreveport Coca-Cola Bottling Co. from 1963-1966. Earl also served on the boards of Biedenharn family Coca-Cola Bottling plants in Shreveport, Texarkana, Temple, TX, Vicksburg, MS, Uvalde, TX, Wichita Falls and Coca-Cola Bottling of Northern Arizona. Earl was also instrumental in the founding of Sprite of the Southwest and served as President with warehouses in Lubbock, Plainview and Amarillo. He was President of the Texas Coca-Cola Bottlers Association and a Board member of Western Container and Southwest Canners.

Earl also served on the following boards: City National Bank, North Texas Rehab, First United Methodist Church, WF Symphony Orchestra, and Rolling Meadows. He was a Century Club member of the Wichita Falls Boys' and Girls' Club and a founder of the One Hundred Club.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Wilma and Earl; sisters Lida Lee Erben and Robbie Dell Conkling; and son-in-law, Andy Kreston.

Survivors include wife, Sandy; children, Elise Denney Kreston of Houston, Dianna Denney Alden, and Andrea Denney Russell (Chuck) of Wichita Falls. Grandchildren: Matthew (Jennifer) Kreston, David and Sarah Kreston; Christopher, Denney and Mitchell Norrie; Nick (Hannah) Russell, Hayden and Travis Russell. Great grandchildren, Tate & Brooks Russell. Cousins Mary Ellen & Delton Gwinn, Nephews Randy (Carolyn) Mayo and Mitchell (Ann) Brownlee, Nieces LeeAnn (Doug) Finlayson, Adelle Brewer, Louisa (David) Stegmann. Brothers-in-law Steve (Kelly) Hunt and Peggy (Ron) Nader. Special thank you to dear friends and caregivers Jim Adams and Danita Potter, and ALL of his countless drivers. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren who affectionately called him "Url D." Pallbearers are his grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers are special friends John Mark Hirschi, Jim Adams, David Tate, Frank Tate, Ralph Harvey, David Greer, Dan Hulsey, Rick Ho, Gordon Boyce, Don Bomer, Bill Setzler, and Labeb Fanous.

Donations can be made to HOWF 4909 Johnson Rd. 76310, MSU Tennis 3410 Taft Blvd. 76308, or the Good Samaritan Fund c/o Presbyterian Manor 4600 Taft 76308.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lunnscolonial.com.