Denver Browning, Class of 1962, passed away Sept. 17 in Arlington, Virginia. He also had a home in Venice, Florida.

His parents were Mary Browning and Louis Browning. His sister is Dorothy Browning Woods, Class of 1955, married to Bill Woods, Class of 1952, who live in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His sister-in-law is Peggy Woods.

His husband is Reggie Vieta. They have been partners for 41 years.

Denver was a fun-loving guy who made friends laugh with his imitations of “American Bandstand’s” Dick Clark. 

And he loved his Pho meals. And frozen custard at Fairy Godmother’s.

Bob Mick, Class of 1962, remembers sitting on the Browning family couch in Monongah with Gene Phillips while they waited for Denver to finish his piano practice. Denver got quite good as a pianist, too, into his adult years.

Reggie also was known for helping his elderly neighbors in Virginia and Florida.

Sally Wood Tarley, Class of 1959, a retired college professor who had a birthday Sept. 23, recalled her Monongah High days with Denver with fondness and his passing with shock.

Chris Woods described Denver as “a great uncle.”

If you have memories of Denver or the Browning family, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I’ll add them to this Monongah High Alumni blog.

My thanks to Dennis Basnett, Class of 1962, for tipping me off about Denver’s passing. I missed it because Paula and I were in Canada’s Maritime Provinces for 10 days. There’s be a blog article about our trip after I put all the elements together.

Since Bob Kasper, Class of 1950, is visiting me in my Tallmadge, Ohio home Thursday through Sunday, it’ll be a while. Bob and I will be at the Cracker Barrel in Morgantown, in University Town Centre on the hill to the right after you exit I-79, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. If you can join us, call me at (330) 388-4466 so we’ll know how many are coming.

Denver’s obituary:

DENVER D. BROWNING  

Denver D. Browning of Venice, FL and Arlington, VA passed away on September 17, 2014, in Virginia following a brief illness.

A gregarious outgoing fellow with a brilliant smile Denver will be missed by his family and the many friends with whom he maintained contact over the years.

Born on March 21, 1944, and raised in West Virginia, Denver attended Monongah High School and Fairmont State University. He moved to Washington DC to pursue a career in civil service and retired from the USDA, where he was a charter member of ACE.

With many creative talents he was an accomplished pianist, and as an avid reader he enjoyed writing mysteries. He was known as an adventurous "foodie" who enjoyed serious cooking and savored Pho, Denver's true passion.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Browning, and his father, Louis Browning.

Denver is survived by his partner of 41 years and husband, Reggie Vieta, his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Bill Woods, his sister-in-law, Peggy Wood, his "cousin sister", Mary Ann Hunt, and cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.

As a pet advocate he also leaves Duncan and Kelsi, beloved wirehair fox terriers.

At Denver's request, no memorial service is planned. He will be buried in Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your preferred animal rescue or cancer organization.

Published in The Washington Post on Sept. 26, 2014