Dennis Michael Vaden

Dennis Michael Vaden, 84, of Sunrise, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2026. He was born November 16, 1941, in St. Louis, Missouri

Dennis proudly served his country as an airman and helicopter mechanic in the United States Army, completing one tour in Vietnam.

Following his discharge, he settled with his wife in Fort Lauderdale before moving to Sunrise, where in 1971 he purchased the home in which he lovingly raised his children.

A lather by trade, Dennis went on to found his own contracting business, Vaden and Vaden. He became known for his elaborate decorative ceilings, work that still adorns the lobbies and other spaces of the Miami skyline today. In his semi-retirement, he found a new joy baking cakes alongside his wife Kathy through their business, Delicious Occasions.

Dennis was soft-spoken and, by all accounts, one of the kindest people anyone had ever met — most who knew him could recall never once seeing him angry or hearing him raise his voice. He possessed an incredible work ethic, which he passionately instilled in his children, along with the confidence and skill to fix or build anything they set their minds to.

Outside of work, he found joy in fishing, playing golf, building things with his hands, and walking the beach collecting seashells with his beloved Kathy ("Mama Bear"). He also loved playing cards and games with his family and friends — affectionately known as "the senior posse" — and always looked forward to a good cruise.

Above all, Dennis was most proud of his children and grandchildren, who brought him immeasurable joy throughout his life. He was overjoyed to welcome his first great-grandson, Mattis, born to his granddaughter Kylie, into the family.

In his final moments, Dennis's last words were, "I am ready... please, I am ready," as he spoke of seashells. His family finds comfort in believing he was seeing and reaching out for his beloved Kathy, welcoming him home.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathy Vaden, whom he loved immensely; his mother, Rita Vaden; his grandmother, Grandma Cook; and his brother, Patrick Vaden, who died during the Vietnam War.

Dennis is survived by his first son, Michael Vaden, and his wife Michelle Vaden, and their children Paige, Ashley, and Michael Vaden Jr.; his second son, Vincent Vaden, and his wife Tara Vaden, and their children Sebastian, Kira, Violette, Juliana, Gavin, and Joey; his daughter, Victoria Vaden, and her children Patton Horton, Kylie McConnell and her husband Reagan McConnell, and their son (his first great-grandson) Mattis, and Zayva Horton; and his siblings, Tom (Gudelia) Vaden, Carl (Genevieve) Vaden, and Mary Nicholson.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 20, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at TM Ralph Funeral Home (Sawgrass/Weston location), 371 NW 136th Street, Sunrise, FL 33325.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 21, at 11:00 AM at TM Ralph Funeral Home (Sawgrass/Weston location), 371 NW 136th Street, Sunrise, FL 33325, followed by departure at 12:15 PM for burial at the National Cemetery, 6501 SR-7 S, Lake Worth, FL 33449, at 1:30 PM sharp.