Notice regarding Coronavirus...Read More

Plan Ahead

Acklin, Dennis Dean, Sr.

July 10, 1940 –
 July 20, 2014

Obituary

Dennis Dean Acklin, born July 10, 1940 in Conway, Arkansas, passed away at his home in Melissa, Texas on July 20, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents Tommie and Thelma Acklin. He is survived by his brother Travis Acklin; his children, Dennis Acklin, Jr., Debra Martin, Christopher Acklin, Amanda Bhuket, Joy Acklin, and Abbie Acklin-Johnson; and his grandchildren, Jayci Acklin, Megan Keeton, Taylor Delk, Jordan Acklin, William Acklin, and Ryker Johnson.

Dennis graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a double major in Music and Religion in 1966. His love of music and devotion to God led him to serve as music minister in many churches throughout his life. In addition to serving as a founding Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce in Plano, Texas, and as one of its first City Managers, Dennis had notable careers in education, real estate and sales. He was an avid pilot and automobile collector. This love of high-performance vehicles along with his daredevil nature earned him the nickname “Crash” among many of his friends and colleagues. Dennis’s charisma, compassion for others, and incredible sense of humor endeared him to everyone he met. His commitment to Christ’s love was most apparent in the love he possessed for his children and grandchildren. He was dearly loved by his family and friends, and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, July 25, 2014 at Rhea’s Mill Baptist Church in McKinney, Texas at 2:00 P.M.

Arrangements are under the direction of

ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home
19310 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75252
214-306-6700

    Valeri Barnes
    23 Jul 2014
    9:11pm

    I will miss this sweet man of God. So many times he encouraged me in my faith and in my life. Kind and always ready to pray, he just exuded the love of Jesus. So happy for him today as he is with the Lord, but oh, how my heart will miss him. My prayers for the family and all those who love sweet Crash.

    Linda Dozier
    23 Jul 2014
    10:07pm

    Dennis was a big part of our CR group. Always encouraging and willing to listen to anyone. His wisdom and life lessons have helped many people on their road to recovery. His absence will be a major loss. However, he is in a better place healthy and happy. My prayer is that God brings comfort and peace to the family.

    Gene and Linda Reeves
    23 Jul 2014
    10:12pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. He was one one funny guy. May God Bless each of you. Love, Linda Shettles Reeves.

    kerekes
    24 Jul 2014
    6:34am

    Abbie, So sorry to hear about your Dad, he was so special to you!
    Troy & Karen Kerekes

    Shawn P Rider (Spanki)
    24 Jul 2014
    7:08am

    I can not express the sadness I feel when I realize my Sweetface man is gone. He was such a joy and always had a smile even when he felt bad. His constant encouragement truly made me realize my worth during some real stressful times. My sincere condolences to his family who now have the priviledge of carrying on his legacy. I will always love you Dennis, Sweetface, Crash, Acklin!! Love, Spanki

    Judy Taylor
    24 Jul 2014
    10:01am

    Dennis and I became friends in the early 70’s, Abbie’s mom and I were good friends and I was around Betty and Dennis a great deal. Betty was about my best friend then and I loved them both.

    Leslie Sharp
    24 Jul 2014
    10:11am

    Thinking of you and all the Acklin family.
    What a loss. Sounds like he was quite an amazing man.

      Ruth Buzzard
      17 May 2023
      10:02am

      Dennis/Crash was a very special person. He was there for me even before we met in person. He was so smart and sweet spirited but stern when needed. He was so generous and compassionate 😄. I often thought of him and just found about his passing. It was comforting to know he was in the world. I will always be grateful for his friendship and ,knowing he’s in the arms of God I pray for the family

    Billy Pike
    24 Jul 2014
    9:54pm

    Dennis and I graduated from Conway High School in 1958. We lost contact over the years and reconnected 50+ years later on Facebook. Sorry for your loss, will keep the family in my prayers.

    Glenna Loveless Dugar
    24 Jul 2014
    10:24pm

    It was truly a shock to hear of Dennis Passing. Just last week we were chating on facebook. I have know Dennis for many years from Conway High School and done real estate business with him back in 1960. My prayers for the family as they go through this difficulty time. He will be missed by so many that knew and loved him He was a Great man.

    LINDA HAVENS SMITH
    24 Jul 2014
    11:59pm

    Abbie, Joy, and all you other Acklin kids and grandkids–Dennis became so special to me in the last few months as my dedicated “phone buddy”. We shared many hours of joy by phone solving world problems, soothing each other’s hurts, and just trying to fill our void with happiness. He helped me through my loneliness, and I think I made his days better too. We kept each other on our toes, and had many a good “belly laugh” over maybe something that wouldn’t even be funny to others. He was kind, generous, very funny, compassionate, interested in everything, and a very smart, intelligent man. You never get too old to have fun like a kid. May God give this family peace and only precious, happy memories of Dennis. Love, Linda Havens Smith

    Melanie Zimmer
    25 Jul 2014
    4:49pm

    Dennis will be sincerely missed! He was funny and such an encourager! Praying for his family to have peace and comfort through this time. I’m sure he’s doing the boogie on the golden streets right now!

    Anita Drydale
    25 Jul 2014
    6:03pm

    We will miss Dennis greatly. I’m grateful that Josie and me had the chance to get to know him. Dennis was so encouraging to us. God has one of His greater angels home.

    Leota Holcomb
    26 Jul 2014
    11:38pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Leave A Condolence

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Testimonials

R. Driver
Read More
"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
Read More
"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
R. Woll
Read More
"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
Read More
"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
Read More
"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
Read More
"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
Read More
"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
Read More
"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
Previous
Next

Get In Touch

Locations

Immediate Attention

Contact Us

Preston Road

“George Bush at Preston”

Aria - Northwest Highway

“5 Miles East of Hillcrest Memorial Park / Lake Highlands”

Funeral Homes Irving Tx: Aria Cremation

“Belt Line Road at 183”

Fannin Memorial Gardens

Veterans Funeral Services

Darst Funeral Home

Search Obituaries

Search

Important Information

  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

    PRESTON ROAD
    214.306.6700

    NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
    214.340.8008

    BELTLINE ROAD
    972.607.4400

  2. Click here to Download the Cremation Forms.
  3. Have the cremation authorization form notarized
  4. Fax the forms back to us at:
    • NW Highway
      214-340-8009
    • Preston Rd.
      972-526-7410
    • Belt Line Rd.
      972-573-1008
 

Additional Information