DURHAM – Dennis Scoville, 64, died Saturday, April 14, more than two years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
He was born Aug. 21, 1952, in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of Betty and Bill Scoville. He graduated from Bloomington High School in 1970, and was drafted into the Vietnam War. He served four years in Air Force intelligence as a codebreaker and analyst, stationed in Brindisi, Italy, Vietnam, and Fort Meade, Maryland.
Dennis was a talented musician, versatile on guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and pedal steel guitar. He performed in bluegrass, country and rock bands for more than 30 years.
He worked in the Indiana University library system as well as at the law library at North Carolina Central University.
Dennis had a dry wit, a quick and brilliant mind, and a compassion for the less fortunate. In addition his love for his wife, Lisa, he loved animals. He rescued, re-homed, and/or adopted dozens of cats and dogs. He was known to even stop traffic to move turtles out of harm’s way.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Sorg, of Durham; his brother, Ray Scoville (Zami) of Virginia Beach, Va., a nephew, Jason, and a niece, Amanda.
He was predeceased by his grandparents, Dacy and Russell Burton, of Bloomington; his mother, Betty (Jeffers) Clute of Anderson Ind., and father, Bill of Indianapolis, Ind.
A private cremation service will be at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Celebrations of his life will be held later this summer in Bloomington, Ind., and in Durham.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Independent Animal Rescue, the ASPCA, APS of Durham, the Coalition to Unchain Dogs — or your favorite local animal welfare group.
Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com; select obituaries.
Alan Johnson
Dennis was my friend for nearly 50 years. He had a wonderful mind, a dry sense of humor, a compassionate heart for those in need, and a keen sense when a musical instrument was out of tune! I spent hundreds of hours with him playing and more often listening to music, including Bob Dylan, The Band, Van Morrison and many others. His heart was as big as all outdoors and was only exceeded by his kindness.
I miss him greatly but he will live in music we shared together as long as music is made.
My condolences to Lisa, his wife and best friend who shared his life for 20 years and took care of him for the last mile home.
“And when that foghorn blows you know I will be coming home
And when that foghorn whistle blows I got to hear it
I don’t have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And together we will float into the mystic.”
Van Morrison
Fred J. Williams
My condolences to Ms. Sorg and the family of Dennis Scoville. May you be blessed with peace and the healing grace that exists in this world.
Joan
Dear Lisa, I hope you will find comfort in the love of friends and admirers of you and of Dennis. This parting, while just as natural as birth, is weirdly strange to comprehend, and this is true though you have seen it coming for a long time. You write so beautifully, I trust you will continue to write about this journey.
Roger Scales
I graduated from High School with Dennis and he and I worked together for my father in the landscaping business. We shared many laughs and a love of music together. We enjoyed playing guitar and Dennis was excellent. He always gave me something to shoot for, although I could never match his ability. I haven’t seen or spoken to Dennis in years, but he will always be fondly remembered. I can never forget his smile and his infectious laugh. Smooth sailing to you Dennis.
April Combs Mann
My dear Lisa, You are one of the smartest, whole-hearted people I know, and although I did not know Dennis very well, since you loved him so dearly, I know for certain that he was a good man. I wish that I could take away your keen sense of loss, but all that I can do is say that I am always here for you, and I hold you in my heart. Blessings upon you.
Cathy Berndt
Thinking of Dennis, and all the fun we had at the Wells Library together in Bloomington! He was a great co-worker, and a special friend! My thoughts and prayers are with Lisa & his family.
“None of us gets out of here alive”.
Frank Ostaseski in The Five Invitations
That would have made Dennis smile.
Best wishes,
Cathy
Samiha Khanna
My sincerest condolences to Lisa, the Scoville family and so many others who are mourning Dennis’s passing.
I hope those who loved and cared for him find some small comfort knowing many sweet animals at IAR, ASPCA and other rescue groups will be given second chances in honor of Dennis’s life and his memory.
Cassandra Madden (NCCU)
My condolences to the Scoville family. May thoughts and prayers are with you.
Westra Brown
To the Scoville Family,
May God give you the comfort that you all need in times like this. Dennis was my next door co-worker, and I really missed him many times. Dennis gave me my own town name (Westraville) and appointed me be the Mayor for the city in the NCCU Law Library work area. lol
May he rest in peace!
Westra
Michelle Gordon
Ms. Sorg,
My deepest sympathies are with you and Dennis’ family at this time. Please know that you are in my thoughts as you grieve this loss. Dennis was an important member of the North Carolina School of Law Library staff and I will fondly miss him and his antics. He was a great co-worker; we bonded over music, politics, sports and our dry sense of humor. He always had a Stinky the Cat story to tell and words of encouragement to staff and students. Dennis was greatly admired for his compassion, wisdom, commitment to excellence, and revered for his support of and sensitivity to the aspirations of the law students.
Lauren Collins
Dear Lisa,
I spent four years working with Dennis at NCCU. Something he said or did often made the work day lighter at the law library. What I recall most were his exuberant responses to even the smallest kindnesses and his stories. Though he told many, my favorites were always when he talked about how happy he was to get to share his life with you. You are in my thoughts.
Shannon Beverly
Hello. Please accept my sincerest condolences at this time. I knew Dennis from working at NC Central Law School. He and I became friends and we would often talk during his break or when he was coming back from his lunch. We talked about life, cars, the school where we worked and we found out that we both served in the Air Force and cars. I know I said “cars” twice but that was how much we both enjoyed talking about them. Dennis and I even went out to lunch on my last day there at the law school before I moved up to Maryland to work in DC. He drove his 2 seater and asked me to ride with him. Again, I have learned something new about him that he and I never got the chance to discuss. I didn’t know he was a musician. This was something else he and I had in common and I never knew it. I had been trying to get in touch with Dennis for quite some time after I moved but I never could reach him.
Dennis was a great guy; sincere and a great friend. From the time we first met and talked I knew we would be friends. Please know that Dennis will be missed by his friends as well as his family, although his family will miss him more. I, for one, will definitely miss Dennis; his snicker and his laugh, his jokes, our talks.
I pray for the family for your strength and encouragement.
Sarah Flint
All night Dennis and Lisa were on my mind., and that’s a sweet place for my mind to be. Sending lots of love and prayers and sweet thoughts.