Dennis John Espe

Dennis John Espe, 83, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on May 15, 2026.

Services will be at 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in the Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel. Military honors will be provided by Volleys for Veterans. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Dennis was born in Oceanside, California, on April 6, 1943, to Louise (Deal) and Warren Espe and was raised by Samuel Jay Hardin. He graduated from Palo Duro High School. Dennis then joined the United States Marine Corps. He was proud of his service to his country. He later worked as an operator at Mesa Petroleum.

Dennis married Lavonda Plumlee in Amarillo, Texas, at Grand Avenue Baptist Church on June 1, 1965. They met when they were twelve years old and married at seventeen.

Above all, Dennis loved time with his family. His wife, children, and grandchildren meant the world to him. He was an avid attendee of all their sporting events. Dennis loved every child he met and would take them in as his own children.

Dennis could be found telling stories and jokes. He loved to work and was the best handyman. He would always say “can I offer a suggestion” when needed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Samuel Hardin; brothers, David Deal and Bob Hardin; sister, Dee Deal; son-in-law, Layne Adams; and fathers-in-law, Harold Plumlee and Wayne Poole.

He is survived by his wife, Lavonda Espe; children, Dawn Adams, and Todd Espe and wife Kara; grandchildren, Chase Espe and wife Morgan, Morgan Duncan and husband Hayden, Haileigh Muehlstein and husband Jake, Blake Greer, Emily Mesneak and husband Zach, Faith Underwood, Jackson Espe, and Brayden Daniel; great-grandchildren, Bentley Espe, Brynsley Espe, Christopher Duncan, Luke Muehlstein, Braxton Greer, Lennie Mesneak, and baby boy Mesneak on-the-way; mother of Emily and Jackson, Lisa Espe; brother, Royce Hardin and partner David; mother-in-law, Betty Poole; sister-in-law, Haroldlena Robertson and husband Wayne; brother-in-law, Larry Plumlee and wife Jaime; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved with all of his heart.