Dennis Irwin Kellogg, age 85, passed away on September 24, 2026. He was born August 22, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, the eldest child of Irwin and LaRue Kellogg. As a child, his family moved to Barstow, California where Dennis would spend countless hours exploring the desert nearby and catching lizards, snakes, and kangaroo rats, which he occasionally would bring home to surprise his mother.

After graduating from Barstow High School in California, he attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Biology. It was at BYU that Dennis met his wife of nearly 60 years, Lesley Milam. They were married in 1969 in the Salt Lake Temple and together raised four children.

Dennis’ first job after graduating from college was to return to Barstow High School and teach Biology. He worked as a biology teacher for 10 years. While there, he made lifelong friends, Duane Garner and Bill Luginbill. In the late 1970s when Duane and Bill decided to leave California and move to Kennewick, Washington, it felt like the right move for Dennis and Lesley and their family. Dennis and Lesley settled in Kennewick within half a mile of Garners and Luginbills. This move led to Dennis switching from teaching to working for the US Postal Service and he continued to work for the Post Office until his retirement.

Dennis was a wonderful father and grandfather who believed in teaching his children about faith, hard work, and the value of education. Dennis was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in many callings in the church including callings with children, youth, and adults. He took his home teaching assignments seriously and enjoyed visiting the families he was called to serve. Once Dennis retired from the US Postal Service after 25+ years, he and Lesley served an 18-month mission for the church, serving the people of the Philippines.

Throughout Dennis’ life, he had a love of the outdoors and nature. He loved gardening and could identify most species of animals. He particularly loved birds and was known to swerve while driving if an interesting bird was flying by. As he got older and his age started to slow him down, he spent more time indoors and spent hours doing puzzles, especially jigsaw and sudoku puzzles. His last days were spent with his wife and friends at the Oregon Coast, enjoying the incredible landscapes and once again experiencing the outdoors that he loved so much.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife, Lesley; his four children, Jennifer Robertson, Michael Kellogg (Rebecca), Alyssa Harris (Spencer), and Emily Haws (Ben); 16 grandchildren, Taylor, Alyson, Madelyn, Colin, Thomas, Isaac, Maxwell, Brooklyn, Conner, Kylie, Samantha, Tanner, Peter, Nicole, Christian, and Luke; and a brother, Bill Kellogg (DeeDee). He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Steven Kellogg and Roy Shaffer, and his son-in-law, Stuart Robertson.

A funeral service will be held at the Ridgeline Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Friday, October 9th at 1:00 pm followed by a burial service at Sunset Gardens on Sunday, October 11th.

Dennis will be greatly missed by his wife and family. For those who had the pleasure of knowing him, his quiet and humble manner of serving and his love for the outdoors will forever be part of the legacy he leaves behind.