Dennis Dockins

Dennis Scott Dockins, of Centerville, passed away peacefully August 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 27, 1960, in Rockford, IL, to David and Linda Dockins. Dennis was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and a faithful Catholic. He first noticed Debra when she sang the Litany of the Saints at the Easter Vigil at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Chicago. They were married at the same church in 1987.

Dennis was a proud graduate of Illinois State University where he was a trombonist in the marching band, graduating summa cum laude. He later earned his JD at Northwestern University and MBA at the Kellogg School of Management.

One of Dennis’ favorite pastimes was to follow high school basketball and football, and his beloved Byron Tigers played a prominent role as he kept up with them throughout his life. This love of high school sports transferred to the Alter Knights where he served as AFA treasurer for eight years. He also served on the Board of the Centerville Noon Optimists, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a lector at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

Above all, Dennis loved his family. He and Debe had two children, Stephen and Michael. Both played Wee Elks football where Dennis volunteered many hours coaching, and lacrosse where he served as statistician. They also played football for the Alter Knights and Dennis updated the family through their group chats every Friday night long after the boys had graduated. Nothing made him prouder than his boys.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, his dear grandmothers Dorothy and Neola, and his Uncle Steve. He is survived by Debra, and sons Stephen R. Dockins, DO (Elizabeth) and Michael D. Dockins, and sisters Pam and Kim, beloved nieces, and dear friends. Dennis was a man of few words, a small-town boy at heart, and he was a true and loyal man, loved beyond words. May the angels lead him into paradise.

A Visitation will be held at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Rd., Kettering, Wednesday, August 13, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, August 14, 10:30 a.m., at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd., Kettering, OH, 45429. Interment will follow the Mass at David’s Cemetery in Kettering, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Alter Knights Football Association or the Washington-Centerville Public Library Foundation Fund (#2461) through The Dayton Foundation.