James Dennis Jr-8-4-2023

James "Ricky" H. Dennis Jr. departed this earthly life on July 12, 2023, in Newark, NJ.  Ricky was born on December 31, 1955, in Valdosta, GA to the late James H. Dennis Sr, and Annie L. Hunter.  The oldest of eight, James was known to have a witty since of humor; as a young boy he delivered TV Guides and the Long Branch Daily Record to make money to buy cap guns, holsters and BB guns.  He loved watching westerns and whatever he wanted to watch we had to watch, which was Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Wild Wild West and his favorite Rifleman.

James attended Long Branch High School where he graduated in 1974, he attended Brookdale Community College for a few semesters then enlisted and served four years in the United States Army stationed in Germany. After his term in the Army, he came back home and began a career at Long Branch Floor Covering where he worked 15 years upon their closing.

Ricky was baptized at the age of 12 at Second Baptist Church by the late Reverend C.P. Williams, he attended Sunday School as well as BTU.  Ricky was an avid fan of the New York Knicks and his Cleveland Browns; his all-time favorite athlete was the late great Muhammad Ali, he loved quoting Ali's rhyme, "float like a butterfly sting like a bee."

James is predeceased by his parents, James Sr., and Anne Hunter, his sister Diane Dennis-Dent, and his step father Willie L. Hunter.

He leaves to mourn his memory his son James Spivey of Virginia; his brothers Yahya Kamau of Pennsylvania; Taalib Abdur Rahman of North Carolina; step brother Jonathan Hunter of North Carolina; his sisters Carolyn Dennis of Red Bank, NJ, Faye Dennis of Asbury Park, NJ, Sonia Dennis of Long Branch, NJ, Valerie Huff (Joe) of Myrtle Beach, SC and step sister Twanna Cearse of Texas; as well as his nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

James will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him and in his famous words to us whenever he came to town, "You got my money straight."

REST WELL OUR BROTHER UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!