Remembering Dennis Lloyd Resor: A Life of Music and Service

Dennis Lloyd Resor, an influential figure in the local music community, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026, following a brain hemorrhage. He was 81 years old.

Born on January 8, 1945, in Bureau, Illinois, Dennis was the only child of Norman and Helen Resor, both of whom were musicians. He graduated in 1967 from Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago with a Bachelor of Music Education.

After serving as the musical director at Henry Senachwine High School in Illinois, where he was recognized as an outstanding educator in 1968, Dennis was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam from November 1969 until October 1971, achieving the rank of Sergeant and earning a Bronze Star.

In 1977, Dennis moved to Live Oak, Florida, to serve as the Music Minister at The First United Methodist Church, a position he held for three decades. During his tenure, he led numerous youth trips and was known for his dedication to the church community. Dennis was also recognized as a Diaconal Minister before retiring in 2007.

After marrying Pat Woodbery on Valentine’s Day in 1979, he became a stepfather to her children, Ed and Lauren. Following Pat’s passing in 2005, Dennis relocated to Panama City to be closer to his son Ed, where they shared many memorable trips and experiences.

In 2015, Dennis moved to Pensacola to be near his daughter Lauren and her family. He remained active in music, singing in the choir and playing in the Pensacola Bay Concert Band. He also developed a passion for model trains, creating an impressive display and participating in a local train club.

In recent years, Dennis faced health challenges, including a brain hemorrhage in 2019, which led him to assisted living at Wesley Haven Villas in March 2022. His family expressed gratitude for the care he received there, as well as at HCA West Florida Hospital ER & ICU and Vitas Hospice.

A memorial service will take place in Pensacola on July 10 at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church located at 6 E. Wright Street. A separate service in Live Oak will be announced soon. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dennis’s memory can be made to the Pensacola Bay Concert Band and the Methodist Children’s Home.