Dennis Wayne Atchley ( ""DA"", ""Chief"" ) age 52, of Shepherd, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2012 at his residence. Dennis was born May 28, 1959 in Baytown, the son of Donald Wayne Atchley and the late Clara Jo Ella (Whisenhunt) Atchley.

He attended Shepherd High School and for thirty years has been the self employed owner of Action House Leveling. Dennis was a dedicated public servant for Shepherd and San Jacinto County. He served the city as a past council member and for twenty five years he served for the Shepherd Volunteer Fire Department. For fifteen of those years he served as Fire Chief. Chief Atchley served many years as instructor at the Livingston Fire School. He was also a certified EMT and served the Shepherd EMS.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Carolyn Atchley of Shepherd; father, Donald Wayne Atchley of Jewett; sister, Donna Jo Gonzalez of Shepherd; brother-in-law, Tony Gonzalez of Shepherd; son, Darrell Wayne Atchley of Livingston; son, Daniel Paul Atchley of Coldspring; son, Joel Mark Whitmire of Navasota; daughter, Kimberlea Sue Hardy of Arp; son-in-law, Nick Hardy of Arp; granddaughter, Kaylee Atchley of Surgarland; grandson, Alex Hardy of Arp; granddaughter, Curley Sue Hardy of Arp. Numerous other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services for Chief Atchley will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Shepherd with Bro. Sammy Whitmire officiating. Interment will follow at the Farley Chapel Cemetery in Shepherd. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston. Pallbearers are Jessie Whitmire, Tom Davis, Red Rice, Wayne Willett, Raymond Smith, Dallas Early, Tony Gonzalez, and Jerry Pitrucha. Honorary Pallbearers are Shepherd VFD (Active and Retired), Chuck Thomas, All San Jacinto and surrounding area Fire and Emergency Responders.

A Tribute to My Brother by Donna Gonzalez

The reason Dennis got into the fire dept. was a very sad reason for us. There was a house fire that claimed our mother' life. She burned to death. At the time the fire dept. here in Shepherd had nothing to put the fire out with but the water hose on daddy' house. He swore then he would never let people hurt again. He put 100% plus in the dept. From my heart there has been no sister prouder of a brother. He did the most awesome job building the dept. up, and Brother you will always be remembered for your devotion. I will miss you so much and love you. 02-20-2012

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online register at www.cochranfh.com