Obituary of Dennis Joel Lehmann

Dennis Joel Lehmann of Banner Elk NC passed peacefully in his home. Dennis was the grandson of German immigrants who came to build a better life farming in Texas. His Father Richard Paul Lehmann was a Lutheran pastor. Dennis has 3 sisters, Margarett, Mary Ann, Ruth and a brother Richard. Dennis has 3 sons Joel, Paul and Mark and 5 grandchildren Catalina, Martin, Belle, Marcus and Sophia. Dennis was a graduate of Florida State and earned a Master's Degree in city planning from Georgia Tech. Dennis was a talented artist, designer and developer. He won a national design award in high school and fully developed his talents over the course of his life. He first came to the North Carolina Mountains in the early 70's to assist in the development and land planning of Beech Mountain. He then became instrumental in the development of Carolina Shores in North Myrtle beach. Dennis came back to Banner Elk and was offered a position to assist in the land planning and development of Elk River. He also played a fundamental part in the development of Jefferson Landing and The Farm in Banner Elk. He remained in Banner Elk designing homes throughout his life up until his hands were literally worn out. His designs are all over the area and are considered some of the finest. When he wasn't working he was hunting or fishing. He traveled throughout the US and Canada in search of trophies. His trophy room is riddled with memories and experiences that reflect his passion. He was a member of The Church of the Holy Cross in Valle Crucis. He was a long-time member of the choir. He was involved with the church Organ Committee during the needs assessment period and up to the acquisition of the Van Daalen / Farmer pipe organ in the sanctuary today. Dennis's love of pipe organs, and organ music, was a dream come true with the acquisition of the pipe organ. Dennis was involved in the 1998 planning for the renovation of the original Skiles Hall, the church's parish hall. Original plans were beyond the scope of what the church needed. When Dennis got involved, he worked with an architect to plan a more suitable building, which has resulted in the Skiles Hall building that exists today, with stonework and roofing material that matches the church building next door. He worked in consultation with John Farmer on the design and construction of the cabinetry for the Van Daalen / Farmer pipe organ. The organ was approximately 50 years old when Holy Cross acquired it, and was originally of Danish style, with sharp angles, blond wood, and a very modern look. Through the cabinetry design, Dennis helped implement a more gothic English-church style, making use of red oak and appropriate coloring for the wood stain for the cabinetry additions and embellishments. The result is much more fitting with the architecture of the Holy Cross Church sanctuary. Dennis was responsible for the planning and supervision of the major restoration project for St. John's Church, the summer chapel of Holy Cross Church on the Watauga River. The project lasted over most of the year in 2010. Dennis called in many favors from contractors and subcontractors that he had worked with over many years and managed to obtain many cost-saving discounts on the construction work. The restored church is as picturesque as it always was, thanks to Dennis's ability to make the restoration work look exactly as the church building was before. Dennis was a volunteer worker at the Valle Country Fair for almost its entire 40+ years of history. He worked during fair-day, helping with whatever might be needed. He was always around on Sunday morning following fair-day to help clean up the grounds and haul trash away. He also was a vendor, selling first boiled peanuts, then sausages, and finally hand-built bird houses. For many years Dennis helped obtain Christmas trees and greenery for the annual Hanging of the Greens in the church sanctuary. Of particular note was a giant wreath frame which Dennis had designed to hang over the door to the sacristy. It was a special frame which Dennis had designed to be reused from year to year, and accommodated the insertion of Christmas-tree boughs into metal wiring in the frame. The immense size was an eye-catcher and conversation piece that was part of the annual greening tradition at Holy Cross. More importantly, Dennis was a kind and compassionate person who truly made a difference in the lives of others. He was genuine and those who knew him best will attest he was a great friend. He was dependable and a straight shooter who could see through the " Bull Shit" as he'd say. Dennis truly lived. He developed and utilized his talents, he made a difference in the lives of others, he enjoyed his passions (including Budweiser and Winston's) and he left the world a more beautiful place through his designs. A true inspiration. Services for Dennis Lehmann will be conducted in the near future. Information pretaining to the services will be publish as soon as they become available.. Online condolences may be shared with the Lehmann family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Lehmann family.