NCA/NWA Capt. Paul Gene Denton

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NCA/NWA Capt. Paul Gene Denton

February 2, 1930 ~ March 21, 2026

 

…..he was hired as a Co-Pilot by North Central Airlines in 1958 and flew out of Willow Run Airport until the 70's when he became a PIC (Pilot in Command) Captain for Northwest Airlines, flying out of Metro Airport……

Paul is survived by his children and their families.  

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/annarbor/name/paul-denton-obituary?id=61109778

Paul Denton Obituary

Paul Gene Denton passed away at the age of 96 on Saturday, March 21, 2026. He was blessed to be sleeping peacefully at home with his family nearby.
Paul was born February 2,1930 in Barlow, Kentucky, the son of Paul Furman and Florence Gertrude Denton. Shortly after his birth they moved to Jackson, Michigan, where the family lived until 1940 when they moved to Dexter. Paul graduated from Dexter High School, Class of '48. He was drafted into the Army in 1951 and trained and served as a helicopter mechanic in Oklahoma, until his discharge in 1953. He had no college education but with the help of several mentors who believed in his self-motivation and determination, he learned to fly at the Ann Arbor Airport. He was hired as a Co-Pilot by North Central Airlines in 1958 and flew out of Willow Run Airport until the 70's when he became a PIC (Pilot in Command) Captain for Northwest Airlines, flying out of Metro Airport. He was a Captain's Captain and was well-respected among his peers. He loved flying.
Paul had four children with his first wife, Betty Mast (Charlie, Paula, Laura, and Tommy) and was the quintessential 60's Dad. Family outings to the State Fair, Detroit Zoo, Greenfield Village, Hudson's at Christmas time, Boat Shows and Christmas Carnivals at Cobo Hall, and Cedar Point were highly anticipated annual events. On those days his strict Pilot persona would transform into an over-indulgent, happy go lucky dad full of fun. The family also enjoyed many well-planned camping trips. Paul was very proud of his highly maintained "rig" that consisted of a small Nomad trailer and a curtained-station wagon (custom designed by their Mom to keep the sun off the four kids while they slept) with an aluminum row boat secured to the top that all the kids learned to water ski behind by "following the bubble trail." A giant sandbox and an ice skating rink were seasonally enjoyed by all the kids growing up in the Ypsi neighborhood of Hickory Hill. The neighborhood was also occasionally treated to a fly-by "wave" when Paul would be heading out on a flight that took him overhead. His children were very proud of their handsome dad in his uniform and cap.
Paul married his second wife, Eleanor Price, in 1977 and retired in 1990 after 32 years of flying. He resumed his life-long hobby of motorcycling, traveling across the U.S. on his Honda Gold Wing and enjoyed houseboating on the Tennessee River in Kentucky, and vacationing in Naples, Florida, with Eleanor. Yet he often mentioned how lucky he had been to have a job he loved.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; his parents; two sisters, Werdna Basler and Patty Denton; his first wife, Betty; and children, Laura and Tom Denton. Survivors include his children, Charlie and Paula Denton; four grandchildren, Jeremy Denton (Charlie), Megan Krull (Paula), Kyler Denton McHardy (Laura), Paul Denton (Tom); and great-granddaughters, Evelyn Mae (Megan) and Amelia Grace (Kyler).
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at 1:00 pm at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, with visitation starting at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org/.

Funeral services provided by:  Cole Funeral Chapel - Chelsea

214 E. Middle St., Chelsea, MI 48118