Jan. 20, 1945 Sept. 18, 2024

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart we share the passing of , of Boerne, Texas, who left us on Sept. 18, 2024, at the young age of 79, after a long, beautiful and fulfilling life.

He was a man of his word, and his handshake had more validity than any legal contract. He was a selfless and generous man, sometimes to a fault, and God and family always came first.

Joe was born on Jan. 20, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas, to Emery and Jewel Dennis. He was a life-long cowboy, businessman, father and proud native Texan.

Joe had an invincible spirit. He loved the country life, and grew up riding horses, racing his Impala down Austin Highway, driving the boat on Lake LBJ trying to flip his kids off the inner tube, and shooting off firework displays which rivaled some of the best.

He lived his life to the fullest. Joe had a profound love for sports, especially football. Some of his happiest moments were spent watching college bowl games surrounded by his children and extended family. Every year you could count on Joe to send out college bowl and March Madness brackets to family members, waiting eagerly for their picks.

Joe worked hard to support his family. He was one of very few people who could say he never filled out an application for a job in his life. He owned and operated the family business, Alamo Cotton Felt, and later opened Airport Self Storage.

In 1976, Joe met Bonnie Brzezinski at the swimming pool of the Spanish Trace Apartments in San Antonio. While it was love at first sight, Bonnie had to give Joe an ultimatum — “play me or trade me” — and they were married on Oct. 2, 1982.

Together they built a happy life which included raising a blended family of four children. They were soul mates and best friends for almost 50 years.

Joe is survived by his wife, Bonnie, four children: Joe (Heather) Dennis Jr., Jason (Kim) Dennis, Jennifer (Michael) Smith, and Jordan (Chris) Gearhart; seven grandchildren, Joshua Dennis, Jakob (Kara) Dennis, Jessica (Zachary) Sines, Gillian Smith, Sydney Smith, Charlie Gearhart and Emery Gearhart; and two great-grandchildren, John-Eli Dennis and Everly Dennis.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Boerne at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 with a celebration of life immediately following the mass in the Cana Ballroom.

The family would like to express its gratitude to the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department for the numerous trips to the house, for their support, courtesy and empathy during Joe’s illness and our time of loss.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be sent to the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department at www. bergheimvfd.org.

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www. ebensberger-fisher.com. Arrangements with Ebensberger Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.