Dennis Leroy Floto
– October 28, 2018
Feb. 1, 1945 - Oct 28, 2018
Dennis Leroy Floto, 73, of Murray, Utah, came into this world February 1, 1945, son of Errett James Floto and Alice Tame Floto, loving husband of Barbara Manning Floto, passed away in Sun City Center, Florida on October 28, 2018.
Dennis lived a full life offering multiple and diverse skills in various career positions. He was his parent’s first-born child and grew up as a military brat as his father was a member of the United States Air Force, stationed in various locations including Alaska, Japan and Utah. After attending Itazuke Dependent High School in Japan and a completed tour of duty overseas, the family of eight returned stateside where Dennis graduated from Granger High School in Utah. He was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
Dennis then volunteered to serve in the United States Army from April 1, 1969, to June 1974.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After attending flight school he served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot with the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment. He was shot down twice and received two Purple Hearts, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and several Air Medals for Valor including other awards, decorations and citations.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
After receiving an honorable discharge in June 1974, he joined the Salt Lake City County Fire Department as an EMT, fire fighter and first responder. He earned an Associate Degree in Fire Safety and Investigation. He worked in this capacity for eight years then became interested in law enforcement and joined the Salt Lake City County Sheriff’s Department where he remained until his retirement in January 2001 successfully serving three years he joined the IMA Program at Hill Air Force Base in Utah serving in the 2849 SPS,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>649 SPS, 75 SPS, and finally the SFS. Dennis served in two major commands, Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Materials Command. He was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant on March 1, 1998, and retired January 1, 2001. He served 31 years in the military.
His interests included the love of music, vintage films, and collecting military and emergency services memorabilia. Also, his obsession to purchase any kitchen gadget available. (REALLY)? Ya gotta love it!
All who knew Dennis enjoyed his sense of humor, his loyalty to friends, and his willingness to serve others. He loved being a grandpa!
During retirement and being no stranger to serve, Dennis volunteered as Chief and EMT for the Manhattan, Nevada Volunteer Fire Department, the Itazuke High School Alumni President, and his much-loved Sun City Center Volunteer Emergency Services where he joined<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in 2009 and held positions as an EMT, Assistant Captain, Captain, and Chief from 2014-2016.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Organizations Dennis belonged to included Life Memberships in DAV, VFW, American Legion, NRA, and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. He was a member of the Ruskin, Florida Lodge 813 Loyal Order of Moose, Bob’s Vets, and Retired Fire Fighters in Sun City Center.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Errett Jr. and a daughter Stephanie.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He is survived by his wife Barbara, two brothers Bryan (Sandi) Floto, Neil (Merri) Floto, two sisters Claire (David) Billings and Lisa (Pete) Shelton DeRupo. Also, his five sons and four daughters Denny (Staci) Prisbery, Mechele (Sidney) Holman, Mike (Kathryn) Floto, Jason Floto, Jennifer (Mark) Moore, Heidi (Jeramy) Stufflebeam, Tyler (Lehua) Floto, Joseph Legocki, and Anne Dixon, 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 11 a.m., at the Apollo Beach Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 5208 12th Street N.E., Apollo Beach, Florida. Graveside Services were on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, in Fernley, Nevada at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 11 a.m.
Dennis Leroy Floto, 73, of Murray, Utah, came into this world February 1, 1945, son of Errett James Floto and Alice Tame Floto, loving husband of Barbara Manning Floto, passed away in Sun City Center, Florida on October 28, 2018.
Dennis lived a full life offering multiple and diverse skills in various career positions. He was his parent’s first-born child and grew up as a military brat as his father was a member of the United States Air Force, stationed in various locations including Alaska, Japan and Utah. After attending Itazuke Dependent High School in Japan and a completed tour of duty overseas, the family of eight returned stateside where Dennis graduated from Granger High School in Utah. He was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
Dennis then volunteered to serve in the United States Army from April 1, 1969, to June 1974.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>After attending flight school he served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot with the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment. He was shot down twice and received two Purple Hearts, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and several Air Medals for Valor including other awards, decorations and citations.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
After receiving an honorable discharge in June 1974, he joined the Salt Lake City County Fire Department as an EMT, fire fighter and first responder. He earned an Associate Degree in Fire Safety and Investigation. He worked in this capacity for eight years then became interested in law enforcement and joined the Salt Lake City County Sheriff’s Department where he remained until his retirement in January 2001 successfully serving three years he joined the IMA Program at Hill Air Force Base in Utah serving in the 2849 SPS,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>649 SPS, 75 SPS, and finally the SFS. Dennis served in two major commands, Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Materials Command. He was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant on March 1, 1998, and retired January 1, 2001. He served 31 years in the military.
His interests included the love of music, vintage films, and collecting military and emergency services memorabilia. Also, his obsession to purchase any kitchen gadget available. (REALLY)? Ya gotta love it!
All who knew Dennis enjoyed his sense of humor, his loyalty to friends, and his willingness to serve others. He loved being a grandpa!
During retirement and being no stranger to serve, Dennis volunteered as Chief and EMT for the Manhattan, Nevada Volunteer Fire Department, the Itazuke High School Alumni President, and his much-loved Sun City Center Volunteer Emergency Services where he joined<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in 2009 and held positions as an EMT, Assistant Captain, Captain, and Chief from 2014-2016.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Organizations Dennis belonged to included Life Memberships in DAV, VFW, American Legion, NRA, and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. He was a member of the Ruskin, Florida Lodge 813 Loyal Order of Moose, Bob’s Vets, and Retired Fire Fighters in Sun City Center.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Errett Jr. and a daughter Stephanie.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He is survived by his wife Barbara, two brothers Bryan (Sandi) Floto, Neil (Merri) Floto, two sisters Claire (David) Billings and Lisa (Pete) Shelton DeRupo. Also, his five sons and four daughters Denny (Staci) Prisbery, Mechele (Sidney) Holman, Mike (Kathryn) Floto, Jason Floto, Jennifer (Mark) Moore, Heidi (Jeramy) Stufflebeam, Tyler (Lehua) Floto, Joseph Legocki, and Anne Dixon, 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 11 a.m., at the Apollo Beach Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 5208 12th Street N.E., Apollo Beach, Florida. Graveside Services were on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, in Fernley, Nevada at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 11 a.m.