Dennis Baetz

Dennis Baetz, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2025, at his home in Moulton, Texas. He was born on July 9, 1940, in Los Angeles County, California, to Irene "Teddy" Powell and Kenneth "Kenny" Baetz.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 55 years, Duckie Baetz of Moulton, TX; 3 sons, Wayne Baetz and Leslie of Lewisburg, TN, Chuck Brown and Violet of Magnolia, TX and Richard Brown and Stephen Elison of Houston, TX; Grandchildren Elijah Baetz of Chapel Hill, NC, Eric O'Donnell of Mulvane, KS, and Chris O'Donnell of Rapid City, SD, as well as his great-grandson, Branson O'Donnell. He is also survived by his sister, Lona Vines of Paris, AR; and eight nieces and nephews: Glenn, Gary, and Greg Gruetzner, Gayla Koehler, Larry Wright, Kenny Vines, Linda Mitchell, and Chisolm Vines.

Dennis spent his early years growing up in an airplane hangar, where he developed a lifelong passion for aviation. He earned his pilot’s license at the age of 16 and later graduated from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa with an Airframe and Powerplant certification. Dennis served in the U.S. Army, transporting helicopters from Corpus Christi, TX, to the coast of South Vietnam aboard the USS Boxer. He and his “Army buddies” made countless trips, navigating the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean, waiving at Cape Town, and the Indian Ocean, and ultimately delivering essential supplies and air support to troops in South Vietnam. Jim Gehrt, one of Dennis's oldest friends, fondly recalled, “Dependable Dennis would take the first chopper off the ship to secure provisions, lodging, and transport back to Texas so we could do it all again. Dennis was a loyal friend.”

After his military service, Dennis worked for Trans Texas Airlines, which later became Texas International Airlines and eventually Continental Airlines. It was during his time at TTA that he met his future brother-in-law and began his family life.

In retirement, Dennis transitioned from aviation to his love of classic cars, starting with the restoration of a 1957 fire-engine red Thunderbird. In 1984, he opened Dennis’s Classic Thunderbird Shop in Pasadena, TX, where he serviced and restored classic cars, particularly Fords. One of his favorite pastimes was driving through the bluebonnet fields of Texas with Duckie and 10s of Thunderbird enthusiasts. These moments with the "T-birders" became some of his most cherished memories.

In 1995, Dennis and Duckie retired to Moulton, TX, where Dennis continued to enjoy working on his classic cars, including his Thunderbird and a 1959 Ford F-100. He also took pleasure in helping neighbors with minor repairs on anything with wheels. In his final weeks, Dennis enjoyed sitting on the front porch swing, watching the sunset.

Dennis will be remembered for his passion for aviation, his love for cars, and his unwavering loyalty to friends and family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.