Francis Bassett
Francis Bassett
Francis Bassett
Francis Bassett
Francis Bassett
Francis Bassett

Obituary of Francis Dennis Bassett

On Friday, January 22nd, 2021 @ 10:00 funeral services will begin at Mountain Park Church located at 16461 South 48th Street in Phoenix, Arizona, 85048. We would love for anyone who is comfortable to join us in person but completely understand if you cannot. Please feel free to join us on Face Book LIVE @ 10:00am MST (9:00 CA and 10:00 NM). We will be using Dennis's Face Book account for the LIVE video. If you will be joining in person, we wanted to let you know the family will need to leave the church immediately following the service for a private burial service. However, we will be returning to the church at 1:30 for a lunch reception. Please join us for some great food, sharing and reminiscing. Additionally, due to restrictions at the cemetery no flowers are allowed. In lieu of flowers, Dennis was a strong supporter of Wounded Warriors if you would like to make a donation in his honor. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate Survived by Wife Wanda (Bell) Bassett Children Daughter Teresa (Scott) Bruckner Son Jim (Laurie) Bassett Daughter Lisa (Leonard) Gomez Grandchildren (in birth order) Mystie (Alan) Rapp Emily (John) Berry Shane (Brandon) Meyer Brianne (Aaron) Carson Ronnie (Jenny) Gomez Britt (Kenny) Carden Layla (Justin) Scheller Great-Grandchildren (by family in birth order) Lexus Berry (19) Christopher Rapp (26) Mathew Rapp (22) Nolan Rapp (18) Annabella Rapp (16) Savannah Rapp (14) Griffin Rapp (5) Charlotte Rapp (5) Khloe Scheller (12) JD Scheller (3 months) Ryder Carden (12) Hayden Carson (9) Addison Carson (6) Harper Carson (4) Camden Meyer (1) Special Recognition Niece Cathy (Len) Bassette-Salcedo "Brotha from anotha motha" Best Friend John Stuart F. Dennis Bassett was born to Francis Edward Bassett and Thelma Bassett in Jamestown, North Dakota on August 28, 1941. They moved to southern California when Dennis was a toddler. Dennis had an older brother named Monte, whom he was extremely close to growing up. They lived very close to their Grandma and Grandpa Baston. Grandpa Baston passed away when Dennis was quite young so he spent a lot of time with Grandma Jennie Baston. His Aunt Leola and Uncle Frenchie Beauvais were also close by. He loved them dearly. Dennis graduated high school in 1960 in Long Beach California, the same place he met his lifelong best friend John Stuart. In 1962 Dennis enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. He served for 3 years as a Combat Engineer. During his time in the military, he was stationed in Korea, Colorado Springs and Mojave Desert. After serving in the army, he had several jobs before landing a job at Catalina Sportswear. This is where he met the love of his live Wanda Pearl. It was not long before he married Wanda in July of 1968 and instantly became a family of five. He was a brave man, he married a gal with 3 children, ages 10, 9, and 8. Dennis went on to adopt Teresa, Jim and Lisa. Dennis loved the southwest and loved history. In 1969 Dennis took the family on one of their first vacations to the Grand Canyon. This is where one of his bucket list items happened. He rode a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon lead by a blind mule. Wanda stayed up top with the children in a full blown panic attack until he returned. In May of 1972 Dennis was admitted to the Veterans Hospital in Long Beach, CA and was diagnosed as having Type 1 Diabetes. He spent over a month in the hospital. At this point, Dennis had been driving a cement truck which would no longer be possible with diabetes. Dennis decided to pursue a career in horticulture. In 1973 he attended Bateson's School of Horticulture. Shortly after completing his schooling there, he started working and using his newly found knowledge in horticulture for the City of La Mirada. In 1976 Dennis enrolled at Fullerton College where he earned his Associates of Art Degree. All the while raising three teenagers. Wow! Dennis retired from the City of La Mirada in 1991. It had always been a dream to move to Arizona and once his youngest daughter took the leap, Dennis and Wanda followed. Still in his young 50's and able, he took a similar job at the City of Chandler. The job was similar but the heat was not but he still loved the outdoors and the southwest. Dennis and Wanda's son Jim and his family also moved to Arizona. Now, in addition to Jim and Lisa, there were 5 grandchildren in Arizona. This kept Dennis and Wanda very busy, always attending anything that the kids were involved in. Most vacations were spent traveling back in California visiting their oldest daughter Teresa and her family. He had two granddaughters who were quite busy with their activities of which Grandpa did not want to miss a thing. Also left behind in California was his Aunt Leola, Uncle Frenchie and cousin Rolly. Wanda's parents and sisters (and families) were also on the list of visiting. Dennis was also extremely excited to reconnect with his niece Cathy, Monte's daughter. They had several years to get to know each other and share their family history and military stories. This brought him much joy. One of his greatest passions was hiking. He lived in one of the greatest places for doing so. Surrounded by hiking trails, he put many miles on his hiking boots. South Mountain in Phoenix offered him endless hours of hiking. In July of 2018 Dennis and Wanda celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Dennis had always said he would dance again after losing a leg in 2016 to diabetes and he did. It was a beautiful celebration. Friends and family helped them celebrate with a surprise party. Dennis and Wanda both gave their lives to the Lord as young children and rededicated their lives to the Lord about 20 years ago. He loved attending church and watching his favorite pastors on TV. He was an extremely generous man. It bought him joy to be able to support organizations that helped children in need, veterans and animals. Dennis loved God, loved his family and loved his country. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, in-law and friend. He was very proud he took the opportunity to serve in the Army. The world was a better place with him in it. Our loss, heavens gain. He had shared with his daughter that he was ready whenever Jesus called him home. On January 4th, 2021 he went to be with our Lord. In lieu of flowers, Dennis was a strong supporter of Wounded Warriors if you would like to make a donation in his honor. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis Bassett, please visit Tribute Store

Memorial Service

JAN 22. 10:00 AM Mountain Park Church
Share Your Memory of
Francis