Dennis King

Dennis Mark King went home to be with the Lord on October 27 at Duke University Hospital surrounded by family at age 75. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched, his beloved family, and the business he founded nearly 50 years ago.

Dennis was born in LaGrange, Georgia on October 1, 1949, to the late Alvin Judson King and Eva Maude Harris King. At a very young age, he worked on a paper route and enjoyed building model cars. Dennis grew up with a love for music. During high school, he played bass guitar and was the lead singer of a popular local band in Atlanta. As a young adult, Dennis pumped gas working at a filling station while taking night classes at Atlanta Area Technical School. At technical school, he learned the art of hand crafting permanent dental crowns and graduated from the Dental Lab Technology program in 1974. After a residency at Fort McPherson Army Dental Lab in Atlanta, he worked as an in-house technician for a prominent dental office.

In January 1975, he established his own dental laboratory, King Crown and Bridge, in Atlanta. He became a certified dental technician technologist by rigorously attending courses and taking on complex cases. In 1986, he relocated the business to St. Simons Island, Georgia, and in 2007, moved to Bristol, Tennessee. Dennis introduced digital dentistry to the area. He was an active member of the local dental societies and study clubs, where he frequently hosted meetings and shared best practices. As the business grew, King Crown and Bridge became King Dental Arts. Dennis always pursued excellence in his work. He collaborated with national leaders in dentistry, lectured at conferences, and was recognized as a Renfert Key Opinion Leader for 2023-2024.

In 1996, he married the love of his life, Darlynn Dotson. God blessed them with three children - Alissa, Hannah, and Jonathan. Their home was filled with laughter, friends, and music. Dennis loved the mountains of Tennessee. He and Darlynn felt it was the perfect place to raise their family.

Through the decades Dennis never stopped singing or playing guitar. He was an incredible musician that sang with his heart and his soul. His voice touched hearts, and he was repeatedly asked to sing at churches. While in Atlanta, he recorded radio advertisements and sang the national anthem for the Atlanta Braves. He enjoyed gathering friends to make music.

Dennis had a close relationship with the Lord and was a role model to those around him. Over the years, he served as a choir director, youth leader, and Sunday School teacher. He is a member of Piney Flats First Baptist Church, where he sings in the choir.

He read a daily Proverb for more than 40 years, and he lived by the wisdom it taught. He believed that a great name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and his word meant everything. He believed that Proverbs 22:4 is God's success formula, and he practiced it daily.

Dennis believed that through his work, he was helping people be confident in their smiles. He loved his work and viewed it as a hobby. He would dream, then create a plan for success. Throughout his life, he read about personal growth and never stopped wanting to learn. Dennis loved life and believed that happiness is a choice. He loved God, loved others, and kept on the sunny side of life.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 30 years, Darlynn King, daughters, Alissa (Chad) Nelson and Hannah (Joe) Quinn, and son, Jonathan (May) King; precious grandchildren, Kally, Zoey, and John Nelson, and Florence King. Other survivors include, brother-in-law, Michael (Denise) Dotson, cousins, his church family, and many friends.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Piney Flats First Baptist Church, 100 Cherry Rd, Piney Flats, TN 37686. The service will immediately follow with Dr. Allen Davis and Rev. Spencer Johnson officiating. Friends and family will meet on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10:50am in Glenwood Cemetery, 839 Bluff City Hwy. Bristol, TN 37620, for an 11:00am committal service.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E Oakland Ave, Johnson City, is serving the King family. (423) 282-1521