Dennis Allen Rider

On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Heaven gained an awesome musician when Dennis Allen Rider closed his eyes, sitting in his favorite recliner, and woke up on the golden streets of Heaven.

Dennis Allen Rider was born in Covington, Virginia, on November 25, 1947, to Winters Oscar Rider and Leah Hatter Rider. In his early years, his heart's passion was football and baseball, where he stood out as a Little League star baseball pitcher and football quarterback. Around the age of ten, he joined the school band, choosing trumpet as his instrument. In the years that followed, sports took a back seat as music became his life's passion. He excelled again, playing first chair trumpet in the school band and then joining a popular local rock band as the horn player. He really could coax the blues right out of that horn. When reminiscing about those days, he would call their band "Smokin Hot". At night, Dennis worked as a package sorter for United Parcel Service.

During his high school years, he met in band class the love of his life, Karen Welch. Following graduation from Covington High School in 1967, Dennis served his country in the United States Coast Guard. After basic training, he and Karen married in August of 1968. His first duty station was at USCG Cape Lookout Lighthouse station in North Carolina, doing search and rescue operations. He then applied for CG Radio School and trained on Governors Island in New York. His last two years in the USCG were spent as CG Radio Station NMG in New Orleans and, lastly, as the Head Radioman at the Naval Air Station in Belle Chase, LA.

In the summer of 1972, Dennis and Karen settled in Roanoke, VA, where they have made their home for the past 54 years. He worked for and retired from United Parcel Service.

Around 1969, Dennis picked up an old guitar belonging to his dad, bought a guitar chord book, and taught himself to play. As guitar fever took over, the beloved trumpet found a space in the back of the closet where it remains to this day.

The guitar became his new passion, and yes, he became quite proficient at that too. First playing for the youth in church while teaching scripture songs; then he did special music during church services and finally joining the church praise band. He truly loved the music that fills your spirit with praise and adoration for our awesome God. In all honesty, that old-time rock and roll that sticks to your bones like a hot volcano that bubbles up, erupts, and ignites the soul...well, with Dennis, that could happen anytime and anywhere without warning. "If you know... you know"

Dennis went through some tough personal times, too, and he never thought twice about sharing his experiences if there was even the remote possibility it could help someone else. He would be the first to tell you that if God had not picked him up and set him on the Solid Rock, he would not have been on this earth all these 78 years. Thanks be to our God for rescuing him from the deep, dark hole that he had fallen into and just could not escape. Not only did God pull him out, but he also put awesome people in his path and continued to do so for the rest of his early life. His buddy, Bill, always willing to help him do music for Emmaus gatherings; the guys in the praise band who called him "Paw Paw" because he was the Grand-paw; the wonderful men and women in the Genesis Sunday School class who loved, accepted, and nurtured him; the SWVA Emmaus Community where he made friends, met Christians from all walks of life, and led music for numerous years; the Tuesday Morning music group at Green Memorial UMC, just to name a few.

Dennis had a special way of turning sorrow and pain into beautiful music and not just for his family and friends. He ministered to the men at the Rescue Mission, even writing and singing a personal song which he entitled "Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired". He played for the vets at the VA Hospital, at various nursing homes, and the Emmaus Community. He also accompanied several solo singers. Every time he strummed his guitar through ministry, he left a piece of himself behind, and each place and person held a unique and special place in his heart.

He renewed two special friendships from his early elementary school days that meant so much to him. "The Three Amigos" would meet in Covington and go get the world's best hot dogs for lunch, reminiscing about their glory days.

He truly found a second family in Green Memorial's Tuesday Morning Music Group where he played alongside wonderful close friends that he met along life's journey.

Dennis often spoke of how proud he was of his wife, three children, six grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, and was so excited that a great-grandson was on the way. His family and their well-being were always at the core of his heart, and he never let us forget how very "blessed" he was.

Dennis now celebrates with a host of family and friends who have gone before him. Left to cherish his memory: his wife of 58 years, Karen Welch Rider; sons, Kevin (Shawna), Sean (Jessica); daughter, Amy Rider Renick (Jeff Hammond); granddaughters, Kayleigh Young, Emmie, Gracy and Chloe Rider; grandsons, Brennan Renick and Seth Rider; great-granddaughters, Evelyn Renick and Dahlia Young; and his precious nieces, Tammy Ray and Beth Vasquez-Howe.

Play on, sweet music man, with a host of angels until we meet again in our Father's Glory land Home. We were so very fortunate and blessed to call you Hubby, Dad, Pawpaw, Friend, Unkie D, and Dennis; if you just happen to answer Heaven's phone...please don't answer, "Joe's Pool Hall, 8-ball speaking"!

So much love and a large piece of our hearts go home with you. We will see you when we see you!

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in the Chapel at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem, Va. The family invites you for a period of visitation from 12 p.m. to 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SWVA Emmaus Community. https://www.swvaemmaus.com/donate or
The Roanoke Rescue Mission at rescuemission.net

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.