Dennis Roy Easington

Dennis Roy Easington, originally form Clarksonville, St. Ann, Jamaica, passed away suddenly on Saturday August 8,2020 at his residence in Houston Texas. He was a man of deep faith, passionately involved in music as he was in education. He attended Clarksonville Primary school along with his siblings where he took his first steps in becoming a great educator. He eventually enrolled at Sam Sharpe Teacher's college in Montego Bay and subsequently taught at Corinaldi Avenue Primary School. During this time Dennis was actively engaged in music. Along with his close friend Floyd Antonio, he joined the gospel band Sonic Salvation. He gained a scholarship to the Jamaica School of Music where he took piano lessons and while living in Montego Bay he took a job at the Jack Tar hotel playing piano in the hotel bar. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there and often related stories of guests who cried when they had to leave. Dennis gradually rose to prominence in Montego Bay and soon began presenting gospel and country and western music at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation(JBC) Radio West. It was somewhat of a surprise when he decided to transition to the United States. 

Dennis's memory will live on through the people he impacted - and they are many! He was a great educator and a talented musician. He supported several churches through his musical gift over the years. He had such a passion for it. I called him one day and mentioned my interest in going on a road trip to Yellowstone National Park. He straightway sounded enthusiastic and bought into the idea. He then dropped in his bit about music. Dennis thought that the trip could include special stops along the route to entertain the public with live music. He just had music flowing through him. Myself, Clair and Dennis used to sing at concerts in our district as children, after our mom taught us the song:

Two little sisters were walking one day

Down by the dark riverside

They were singing and shouting 

And praising the Lord

The Lord will provide

Chorus

The Lord will provide

The Lord will provide

The Lord will provide

The Lord will provide

We sang in harmony and it drew attention in the community. At Clarksonville Baptist Church where we attended Sunday School as children, the Canadian minister, Dr. John Knight and his family knew and spoke about our singing. Perhaps that was what ignited Dennis's passion for music. His friendship with Floyd Antonio though, took his music to another level. He was instrumental in Dennis learning to play the guitar and , as they say, the rest is history.

WE MISS YOU DENNIS! 

Sleep in peace my brother until we meet again.