DENNIS MICHAEL SHAVES

Dennis Shaves went to be with his Lord and Savior on Father's Day, June 15, 2025.  Dennis was born in Napa, CA on August 29, 1941 to Rudy and Jessica Shaves.  At two years old, they moved to Los Angeles, CA where Dennis grew up through Junior College.

Dennis loved playing baseball starting at a young age.  He played as a pitcher on the LA Airport Optimist team, Middle Baseball League, and Lenox High School team where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football, graduating in 1959. He continued baseball at El Camino Junior College and played semi-pro ball in Canada in the summers, then went to Fresno State University on a baseball scholarship under the coaching of Pete Beiden, who he adores to this day.  He was awarded the 1964 "most outstanding baseball player" while at FSU.  Dennis was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and served as pledge trainer.  He graduated in 1964 with a teaching credential and signed with the California Angels where he played in the minor leagues with the San Jose Bees for 3 years.

Dennis met his future wife, Jacqueline Bien, at FSU, and after their first date he told a buddy, "I'm going to marry Jacque someday." They were married in 1965 for almost 60 years.  In 1966 they moved to Santa Cruz, CA where he taught and coached at Soquel High School until 1968.  When they started their family in 1968, they moved to Fresno, CA where he was a stock broker until a career change led him to become a commercial real estate broker. Dennis and Jacque had three children:  Brett, David, and Kimberly.

In 1991, after his children were in college in Southern California, he and his wife moved back to his L.A. roots and later had a real estate business in the wireless industry.  Given his number one focus as a family man, being near his children and grandchildren were his biggest blessing.  In 2022 they moved to the Houston suburbs in Texas…he was instantly converted to a Houston Astros fan while still supporting the Kansas City Royals and Anaheim Angels!

Dennis had a big passion for golf during much of his adult life and even scored a "hole-in-one" in Orange County, CA.  He continued golfing until his Parkinson's progressed, which he handled with grace and relied on his faith in Christ.

Dennis's passion was talking to others about the importance of having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He was an avid reader of the Bible, discipled others in their walk with Christ, and committed to praying for an extensive list of folks.  Once on his prayer list, you never got off!  Everyone enjoyed Dennis's engaging personality and "one-liners."  He had numerous friends that respected him as a godly business man and mentor.  He always loved when his old friends traveled from California to Texas to visit him.

His children and grandchildren, for whom he was always available, affectionately called him "Pa." They were the joy of his life and they loved their "Pa" and his fun-loving, playful personality.  His main goal was for them to hear about the Lord.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Jacque Shaves; son, Brett Shaves and wife, Michelle, Scottsdale, AZ; daughter, Kimberly Shaves, Houston, TX; grandchildren, Savanna Shaves, NYC; Madeline Shaves, Savannah, Georgia; Summer Shaves, Scottsdale, AZ; and numerous nephews, nieces, step-grandchildren, and dear friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his son, David (age 8), and his parents, Rudy Shaves and Jessica Sauer.

There will be a private service held in Fresno, CA to celebrate his life.