Submitted by Family
It is with deep sadness we announce the death of our beloved son, brother, and friend Zakary Dwayne Denton who passed from this life on November 8, 2023. Zak was born December 11, 1974, to Cate Haney Newman and Gary Denton. He grew up in Oklahoma City, attending John Marshall High School, and graduating in 1993. Zak had been living in Guthrie, Okla., for many years now. He had a community there that he knew as family. He found his true calling in Guthrie, becoming a bartender and bar manager at The Jungle in historic downtown Guthrie. He loved what he did and the people he interacted with on a daily basis. He loved meeting new people and never met a stranger.
Zak had many interests and hobbies. He grew up riding skateboards around the neighborhood with his friends. He began playing the bass guitar in high school and continued making music the rest of his life. He was a huge fan of all kinds of music and had a vast vinyl record collection. He loved riding his bicycle around Guthrie Lake and hitting dirt roads on his motorcycle. He was always down for a Sunday drive on backroads. He loved to hike and camp. He also loved to read and learn new things. Every time you’d see him he’d have something new to share he had just learned. He was funny, witty, quirky, goofy, and an all-around fun guy to be around.
Zak was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jodie and Elsie Denton, Charlene Hubbard, and Bell Charles Haney. He is survived by his parents, Cate Haney Newman of Choctaw, Okla., and Gary Denton of Oklahoma City; his stepdad Bill Redding of Oklahoma City; his grandmother, Leona Lott Goodman of Yukon, Okla.; his siblings, Will Hesston Redding and wife Summer, of Harrah, Veronica Redding of Choctaw, Benjamin Denton and wife Stacie, Nathaniel Denton, and longtime friend and brother, Matt Biggers, all of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins Sean, Michelle, Melissa, Justin, and Jade, and many Osage relatives and cousins. Zak was a proud Osage Nation citizen and enjoyed attending his tribal dances and going on the heritage site visits with the tribe. Zak was a descendant of Opatunkah, Olo-hah-walla, and Charles and Cora Big Elk. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. in the Big Elk Cemetery (Haney Family Cemetery) in Hominy, Okla. A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Powell Funeral Service of Hominy.
