Dennis William Eugene Ganfield (Denny), age 51, unexpectedly went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 5, 2023. He was born in Arcata on March 1, 1972 to Dennis and Phyllis Ganfield. Denny was an active child who loved growing up in the small town of Mckinleyville, where there were always friends and family close by. A few years later he became a big brother and protector of his little sister, Brandy. He learned to hunt and fish alongside his dad, grandpas and uncles.

Sports time was also family time, where his biggest fan, his mother, could be seen and heard cheering him on! From a young age it was evident that Denny was athletically gifted. All through his youth he dominated on the soccer fields, baseball fields, basketball courts and especially on the football field. It was on the gridiron where Denny found his true passion. When he entered Mckinleyville High School in 1986 he went to work polishing his skills at the wide receiver position. It didn’t take him long to establish himself as a prolific wide receiver. Throughout his varsity years he struck fear into the heart of HDN Big Four and Little Five defensive backfields. Denny established himself as the premier wide receiver of the HDN his senior year while helping his team shatter records and write themselves in the CIF state record books. Denny was a team player who worked tirelessly on and off the field. Denny and his teammates were honored for their undefeated North Coast Section Championship season by being inducted into the Mckinleyville High School hall of fame.

After high school and working locally, Denny enlisted into the US Army in 1993. Upon graduating from basic training in South Carolina he was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he became a certified Vehicle Mechanic and achieved the rank of Specialist. During his time in service he would be awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar. During his time in Texas he was blessed with his two boys, Kyle and Dennis Jr. Ganfield.

Denny later returned to his roots in Humboldt County, where he was employed as a mill worker, and always found time to head to the outdoors where he continued to hunt and fish. He loved his children and showed them the beautiful nature that Humboldt County has to offer and was very proud of the men they are today.

Denny always had a special place in his heart for his sister, Brandy, and her children, Chase and Jovie. He cherished being a part of and watching his nephew and niece grow up. He loved his mom’s home cooking and drinking a cold beer over long talks with his dad.

Later on in life, he found purpose and meaning in his Christian faith. He was baptized as an adult and attended Church on a regular basis.

Denny left us too soon and will be deeply missed. Rest in peace in God’s care, we will be reunited in Heaven.

Dennis is survived by his sons, Kyle and Dennis Jr. Ganfield, and their mother, Patricia Coria; grandchildren, Matthew Anthony Ganfield and Kaylee Grace Ganfield; his parents, Dennis and Phyllis Ganfield; his sister, Brandy Eskra, and her children, Chase Evenson and Jovie Fischer; aunts, Donna (and her son Tommy), Sandra Weeks, Lois Crawford, and great-aunt Bonnie Benjamin; uncles, Marvin (and Peggy) Ganfield, Robert Ganfield, Bob Reynolds, and numerous cousins and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, William and Audrey Reynolds; paternal grandparents, Marvin and Thelma Ganfield; his brother-in-law and great buddy, Scott Eskra; aunts, Sheryl Whitaker, Jean Van Epps, Sharron Sandal, and Bonnie Kay Reynolds; uncles, David, Darrell, and Roger Ganfield, Mel Peterson, Bill Reynolds, and Thomas White; and cousins, Cherie Reynolds and Winter White.

We invite family and friends to attend a gravesite memorial in honor of Denny on Saturday, May 27 at 12 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, which is located at 1757 J Street in Arcata. After the memorial, we would be honored to have you join us at the Arcata Veterans Memorial Building, located at 1425 J Street in Arcata.

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