Dennis Kirkland

CASA GRANDE - Dennis Kirkland, 85, a longtime Casa Grande businessman with an interest in music and Native American arts, died on April 28, 2018.

Mr. Kirkland was born on July 28, 1932, and was a son of Sherwood and Letha Kirkland. His family moved to Casa Grande in 1942 from Oklahoma and picked cotton. Interested in music, he began playing steel guitar with a band while in high school and performed in bars and churches. He sometimes played with country and rock guitar legend Duane Eddy, who lived in Coolidge.

He later worked at the post office for 16 years and continued playing music while also selling guitars. He opened a music store that became De-No Music Center, named after his two sons, a business that continues on Florence Boulevard. He rented and sold musical instruments to three generations of students.

As a hobby, he also sold Indian baskets made by nearby women who were working to provide for family needs. He was active in the O'Odham Tash Indian Days celebration in Casa Grande, serving as arts and crafts chairman for many years and as president in 1979 and '80.

Survivors include his second wife, June Ledbetter Kirkland; a sister, Shirley Winberry of Hesperia, California; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Neva; two sons, Noel and Dennis Joaquin Kirkland; a brother, Wilbur Kirkland; and five sisters, Cloie Kirkland, Euda Rainey, Mildred Williams, Sue Seaton and Billie Burroughs.

Memorial service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, at Pinal County Cowboy Church.