Allen Jeffrey “Jeff” Denton, of Salina, died December 4, 2025, at Salina Regional Medical Center following an illness.
He was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, on November 8, 1942, the only child of the late Dora Mae (Widman) and William Allen Denton. He attended Roosevelt High School at Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas, where he made close friends he kept throughout his life.
After graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Jeff worked as a Registered Pharmacist for nearly 50 years, most of it at B&K Prescription Shop in Salina. He was an entrepreneur and along with his business partners, sought innovative ways to grow B&K and to find new ways to serve customers and the community.
Jeff was passionate about independent pharmacy. He achieved professional recognition as a Fellow of the American College of Apothecaries. He served as ACA President and on the ACA Foundation Board. He was a member of the Kansas Pharmacists Association and served as its President. What he loved most though, was people – talking with patients, working with health care providers, and belonging to a network of pharmacists.
Jeff was a proud Kansas Jayhawk. He believed higher education is the most important investment one can make in their future. He enjoyed meeting and mentoring KU pharmacy students and encouraging them to pursue jobs in community pharmacies. He received the Gene Hotchkiss Kansas Independent Pharmacy Mentoring Award. He was also the second recipient of the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy’s Distinguished Service Award, presented for selfless and sustained professional service and leadership.
When he was not at B&K, Jeff could be found at home, working in the yard or in his basement shop. He built furniture and cabinetry, turned wooden bowls on his lathe, and whittled. His daughters believe he could build or fix anything. He rebuilt cars and enjoyed driving his Corvettes and riding his motorcycle.
Jeff was a home brewer and enjoyed sampling and brewing “real beer” and ales. He was an early adopter of technology and bought one of the first home computers, always had the latest digital camera, and used a Personal Digital Assistant (which he called his “brain”) before Smartphones.
Jeff was a quick-witted jokester and was never happier than when he was pulling someone’s leg. He valued his many friends, professional colleagues, fellow beer lovers, artists, car and motorcycle enthusiasts, and those he met while in pursuit of his varied interests.
Jeff met his wife of 52 years, Sharon Sue “Sherry” (Fink) Denton at KU while they were both in pharmacy school. Their paths first crossed when she attended a student Pharmacy Association meeting. Jeff, as the club’s treasurer, scolded Sherry for not paying her membership dues but then walked her to her car. They were married on July 9, 1966, in Manhattan, Kansas.
Jeff and Sherry shared love of family, pharmacy, travel, the University of Kansas, art, skiing and active involvement and membership in the Episcopal Church. They built a beautiful modern solar home in Salina, with significant interior work completed by Jeff himself. After putting their daughters through college and law school, Jeff and Sherry enjoyed time at their vacation home in Edwards, Colorado. There they built another circle of friends in their neighborhood and worship community at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.
After retirement, Jeff continued to enjoy many favorites: ice cream and chocolate malts, going to church, making friends and sharing time with fellow residents at the Salina Presbyterian Manor, napping, going for walks or drives, classic car shows, bird watching, and good real beer. He never lost his quick wit or love of teasing friends.
Jeff is preceded in death by his wife, Sherry, and by his parents. He is survived by his two daughters, Callie Jill Denton of Topeka (Jeff Andruss), and Amelia Kay Denton-DeVore, of Ocala, Florida, and three grandchildren, Iris Denton-DeVore and Charles Denton-DeVore of Wichita, and Emmett Denton-DeVore of Ocala, Florida. He also leaves behind his caregiver companions Lora Gordon, Hutchinson, Hope Lindley, Salina, and Sarah Camp, Salina, who treated him with friendship, respect, and love, and who have become family. Jeff’s daughters wish to thank and recognize the compassionate staff in the Memory Care Unit of the Salina Presbyterian Manor, who made Jeff’s final years comfortable and happy.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on January 17, 2026, at Christ Cathedral, 138 S. 8th Street, Salina. Burial will be at the Denton Cemetery, Denton, Kansas, in late spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to University of Kansas, KU Endowment, to the KU Cancer Center Drug Discovery Innovation (08022), or to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, (09547), or to Christ Cathedral, or to the Salina Presbyterian Manor Employees Christmas Fund or Building Fund.
Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is handling arrangements.