Dennis Stanley Wadkins

Dennis Stanley Wadkins was born to Helen and Stanley Wadkins on February 26, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. He was the youngest of two children. Dennis spent his entire life in Monrovia, CA, where he was the star of the Monrovia High School football, basketball and track teams. He graduated in 1964 and joined the Navy in November 10, 1966, where he was send to Vietnam and served as a medic. Dennis was wounded in combat and he received the Purple Heart commendation. Dennis was discharged on August 26, 1968 where he returned home to his wife Nell Lang Wadkins and three children Raymond Wadkins, Dena Wadkins Rogers and Denise Wadkins Shepard. On August 22, 1983 Dennis found sobriety through the wonder works of Alcoholic Anonymous and maintained his sobriety for 28 years to the end. Dennis was very involved in AA and he worked with many of this brothers and sisters through the program and was an inspiration to many. Dennis also found love in AA, where he met his wife India Whitaker Wadkins. They were married on December 2, 1989 and Dennis accepted the role of step-father to Hollie Whitaker and Tony Whitaker. Dennis passed away peacefully on Tuesday May 31, 2011 at 11:52pm. He was surrounded by his loved ones. Dennis was proceeded in death by his father and mother, Helen and Stanley Wadkins and his wife India. He leaves to cherish his loving memory four daughters, Dena Wadkins Rogers (husband Michael Rogers), Denise Wadkins Shepard (husband Steven Shepard), Hollie Whitaker and Tamara Clark. Two sons Raymond Wadkins and Tony Whitaker, as well as sister Carol Wadkins Morgan, 10 grandchildren and a host of family and friends. Funeral Service will be held on June 9, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Douglass & Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home. Interment will be held on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 11:15 am at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA. Meet at staging area 2.