John Denney, 76, of Springville, California, passed away 5 June 2024. He was a retired district superintendent who led the Southern California District from 2001 to 2014. He served as a minister in California, Idaho, and Oregon.

John Lee Denney was born on 13 June 1948 in Nampa, Idaho, to Roland “Eugene” Denney and Marion (Penn) Denney. In 1969, John met the love of his life, Sheree Miller, and the two were married in 1970. John and Sheree were married for 53 years and had two children, Tiffany and Justin.

John graduated from Northwest Nazarene College (now University) in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in pre-seminary studies. He went on to study at the Nazarene Theological Seminary, where he served as student body president and earned a master’s degree in divinity in 1974.

John accepted his first pastorate in Middleton, Idaho, at the Middleton Church of the Nazarene in 1975. He pastored in Middleton from 1975 to 1978, where he also served as district Nazarene Youth International (NYI) president and representative to the general NYI council for the Northwest region.

From 1978 to 1983 John served on the staff of the global NYI office as senior high director, senior high Sunday school curriculum editor, and department editorial director. During this time, he designed and produced the new Word/Action Sunday School curriculum for the Nazarene Publishing House (now The Foundry Publishing).

After a stint at the Nazarene Headquarters, John was called to pastor Rose City Church of the Nazarene in Portland, Oregon, in 1983. During this time, he also served on the Board of Trustees for Northwest Nazarene College.

In 1988, the Denneys moved to Porterville, California, where John pastored Porterville Church of the Nazarene until December 2000. While pastoring at “Port Naz,” John served on the District Advisory Board for the Central California District and as chaplain for the Porterville Police Department.

In January 2001, John was elected superintendent of the Southern California District. During this time, John spent 12 years on the Board of Trustees for Point Loma Nazarene University, four years as a member of the Nazarene Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, and eight years serving as the Southwest Zone facilitator over 11 districts and representing this area on the USA/Canada Mission Strategy Committees.

John retired from the superintendency in 2014 and moved back to the Porterville area. He continued to serve in the local Nazarene community as an interim pastor, including Bakersfield Olive Knolls, Bakersfield Ridgeview, and Tulare Wayside Nazarene churches, respectively.

John loved to play golf, ski, spend time with his grandkids, work out at his local gym, play his trumpet in church, and take scenic drives. He was the ultimate “people person” and never missed an opportunity to interact with the people that crossed his path. John loved sharing the gospel with the people he came into contact with and desired that everyone within his reach know Jesus loves them.

He is survived by his wife, Sheree (Miller) Denney; daughter, Tiffany Lightfoot; son, Justin Denney; five grandchildren; brothers, Dan, Dave, and Daryle Denney; and his sister, Sue White.

A celebration of life service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 15 June, at Porterville Church of the Nazarene, 2005 W Olive Ave, Porterville, CA, 93257.