Lorin Dennis Killian Sr., of Othello, Wash., died Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024 peacefully at his home.

Dennis, as he was known by his large family and many friends, was born Aug. 6, 1934 in Goshen, Idaho to Elden and Beryl (Walker) Killian. He was raised in the small southeastern Idaho communities of Goshen and Woodville on the outskirts of Shelley. After graduating from Shelley High School, he received an agriculture scholarship from the U&I Sugar Co. And attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. When the scholarship money ran out, Dennis took a job working for U&I.

In 1955, Dennis volunteered to be drafted into the U.S. Army. He served his country for two years, starting with Basic Training in Fort Ord, Calif., and then more training at Camp Chaffee, Ark., before being stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., with the 38th Field Artillery Battalion, of the Second Infantry Division. He was proud to be complimented by the company commander for "being a good Mormon boy" and was often selected to carry the company's colors when they marched in formation.

After his military service in 1957, Dennis began what would be a lifetime of service in his faith as he accepted a mission call to the Southern States Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He shared his faith and love for Jesus Christ for two years to anyone who would listen in South Carolina, Central Florida and Georgia.

After his mission, Dennis was working as salesperson at J.C. Penney Co., in Shelley, when he was set up on a blind date arranged by his neighbor Verda Risenmay. The young woman, Donna Roylance, ended up being the love of his life. He and Donna were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 15, 1960.

Shortly after their marriage, Dennis and Donna moved to Othello, Wash., to open a dairy farm with his father-in-law, George Roylance, and brother-in-law, Jay Roylance. After selling the dairy a few decades later, he ran an insurance agency for a few years and then developed the Killian Korn gourmet popcorn confection enterprise with Donna as his partner and their children often providing the labor.

Dennis also faithfully served in several leadership positions for his church, including bishop, stake president, regional representative, temple sealer, stake patriarch, counselor in the Washington Spokane Mission, and as a counselor in the Columbia River Temple Presidency. Dennis and Donna as served as full-time missionaries in Spokane and in the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.

While he truly loved working, Dennis did enjoy playing softball, fishing, doodling, woodworking, and cooking meals for large family gatherings. He especially enjoyed being in the driver's seat on long road trips with an ice-cold Dr. Pepper in the cupholder and passing the time by using his beautiful voice to sing along to classic country music playing from the radio.

Dennis is survived by wife Donna; sister Eunice Willis, of Ammon, Idaho.; his children: Spence (Lisa) Killian, of Kennewick, Wash.; JoAnna (David) Miller, of Othello, Wash.; Krista (Sherrie) Jensen, of Beaverton, Ore.; Lora (Chuck) Allen, of Ephrata, Wash.; Shanna (Parrish) Stakkeland, of Royal City, Wash.; LaNae (Stacey) Grigg, of Hewitt, Texas; Lorin Dennis Killian Jr., New York, N.Y.; Elden (Jaimee) Killian, of Pasco, Wash.; Nicholas (Megan) Killian, of Ephrata, Wash.; Joseph (Morgan) Killian, of Taylor, Texas, and 63 grandchildren and 67 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Elden and Beryl (Walker) Killian; siblings Elden, Jimmy, William, Geneva, and Carolyn; daughter Sandra Killian; son Gordon (Lisa, of Potlach, Idaho) Killian; and grandson Preston Killian.

In his lifetime, Dennis witnessed and experienced things that would be hard to imagine when he was a young boy plowing the fields with a team of horses on his family's farm in rural Idaho. Through all the years of his life, he was firm in his faith, tireless in serving others, and constantly devoted to his family.