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Obituary for Jan Philip Dennis
Jan Philip Dennis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 14th, 2022, surrounded in his home by his wife and children. He was 76.
Jan was born on November 21, 1945, to Clyde and Muriel Dennis in Evanston, IL. He grew up in Wheaton, IL where his father started Good News Publishers, Lithocolor Press, and later Crossway Books. Jan attended high school at Wheaton Academy where he was an accomplished multi-sport athlete. At Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, he enjoyed surfing the California coast in between studies and played number one on the Westmont tennis team. Here he met the love of his life, Jeanne Schaap. The two married on June 12, 1968 in Bloomington, IN, and were married 53 years. Jan completed his master’s degree in English Literature at Indiana University.
Jan and Jeanne raised their six children in Wheaton, Illinois where Jan worked as Vice President and Senior Editor for two decades at the family publishing company Crossway Books. His appreciation for quality fiction made him uniquely suited to discover and develop gifted unpublished authors such as bestselling authors Stephen Lawhead (Pendragon Cycle) and Frank Peretti (This Present Darkness). He was also the editor for Frances and Edith Schafer, Brock and Bodie Thoene, among others. Later, after moving to Monument, CO, he worked as a literary agent and helped develop authors such as Ted Dekker. Jan was an avid reader and enjoyed books about theology and politics and many different types of fiction, including fantasy and science fiction. He was particularly fond of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. He loved all kinds of music, especially jazz. His home in Monument was a special refuge, and he loved the West, enjoying many family trips exploring and hiking in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Jan had a deep love and commitment to God and to his church. He faithfully led a Bible study for many years at St. Peter’s and felt deeply blessed by attending daily mass. He also lovingly cared for his son with autism, Christopher, who has lived with Jan and Jeanne his whole life.
Jan is survived by his wife Jeanne Dennis of Monument, CO, sister April Carlson, brother Lane Dennis, and his 5 children: Graham Dennis, Leslie Taylor, Christopher Dennis, Cory Dennis, and Robyn Faber. He was preceded in death by his daughter Mary Fox in 2019. Jan had 16 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Jan’s inquisitive mind, his devotion to his family, his love of God, adventures, music, literature, and unique sense of humor will be greatly missed.
