In Memory of Denis Fellenz

Denis Fellenz

Spouse: Nancy Fellenz
Children: Denis Jr., Dorothy and Andrew (Eungyeong Jeon)
Birthdate: November 16, 1941
Blessing: April 7, 1989
Ascension: May 1, 2022
Seonghwa Ceremony: May 7th, 2022

Denis and Nancy are pillars of the early previously married couples to join our Unification Movement. They worked as homembers under Dr. Bo Hi Pak in the 70's and eventually brought many from their own family to understand the Divine Principle and True Parents' mission of bringing the Kingdom of God on Earth. Denis had many skills and was always making new friends through his work and through teaching golf, especially with members of the Army and Department of Defense. Their family is a shining light for many in the Northern Virginia area.

Denis Fellenz was born at Edgewood Arsenal, MD on November 16, 1941. He was the third of six children. He had two older sisters, Dorothy Fellenz and Genie (Fellenz) Burn, followed by three younger siblings: a sister, Andre, and 2 brothers, Bruz and John. 

His father was career military, and Denis always looked forward to the adventure of living in many different places. His favorite base was Fort Monroe, VA (located on the Chesapeake Bay), where at fourteen he learned to play golf. Golf became his lifelong passion (he eventually became a PGA Teaching Pro and taught golf as a side career for well over twenty years). 

At age nineteen Denis entered the military as an academy prep student where he studied for two years, then studied for a year at the University of Utah, after which he enlisted in the Army. He served for three years, including a tour in Fort Campbell, KY, in the 101st Airborne’s Screaming Eagles, where he trained as a paratrooper. His experience as a paratrooper left him with a lifelong fear of flying, and he never willingly flew anywhere again if he could drive or take a train.

After an honorable discharge, Denis decided he wanted to give his life to God. He joined a Catholic Seminary, The Oblates of Mary Immaculate, in San Antonio, TX. During his summer break in May of 1967, while staying in VA with his sister Dorothy, he met Nancy Allen, a stewardess with United Airlines (who had wanted to be a nun). He decided he’d rather have a wife than be a priest. 

In the Fall of 1967 Denis and Nancy were married in the Catholic Church with Claire (Allen) Daugherty, Nancy’s younger sister, as her maid of honor. By 1973 Denis was the father of 2 children, Denis and Dorothy, and also had custody of Nancy’s youngest sister, Mimi (Allen) Dempsey. At the time, they were living in Arlington, VA when Claire introduced them to the Unification Church. They joined as a family, including Denis’ sister, Genie — thus becoming the original “home members,” serving the church community while maintaining their families and homes.

Denis’ career included pioneering the computer field as a programmer and systems analyst, working at Control Data, Amtrak, the U.S. Congress, Florida Power and Light, and finishing his career by returning to Capitol Hill and the office of House Information Systems. He led the team that changed the voting system on the Representatives’ side from a paper vote to a computerized vote that was instantly public.

In 1989, after twenty one years of marriage, Denis was given three days notice that his couple was eligible for the Blessing. Denis and Nancy were blessed by True Parents on April 7th at the New Yorker Hotel. On August 30, 1990 they had a son, Andrew Allen Fellenz. 

On May 1, 2022, Denis ascended leaving behind his wife of fifty five years, Nancy; his three children, Denis Jr., Dorothy and Andrew (blessed to Eungyeong Jeon), and a foster son, Ryan; as well as five grandchildren, Tristan, Anya, Leza, Seva, and Misha. Every one of them was precious to him in a unique way. 

Denis’ daughter, Dorothy, created a tribute booklet for her father, titled, “Time to Go.” You can view it here.

Seonghwa Ceremony

Date: May 7, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Location: 3600 New York Ave NE Washington, DC 20002 (The Arbor Ballroom of The Washington Times Building)
The ceremony can be watched on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/618147675 (Passcode: 2027)
The inurnment of his remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in the Columbarium at a later date.

The Fellenz family requests donations can be made in Denis' name to: www.thekingmakerfoundation.org