of Benton, AR

December 28, 1948 - April 22, 2021

Dennis Marlin Wells, 72, a resident of Benton, passed away Thursday, April 22, 2021, at his home with his loving family by his side.

Dennis was born December 28, 1948, in Ft. Smith to Pete and Lorene (Howard) Wells. He was a 1966 graduate of Southside High School and earned a Bachelor's degree from Arkansas Tech University as well as a Masters of Psychology from Texas Tech University. Dennis was a Licensed Psychological Examiner and his career in mental health spanned more than 45 years. His work impacted others in countless ways. He spent the last 25 years of his career as the Director of GAIN incorporated, the first Assertive Community Treatment program in Arkansas. Dennis' dream was to help those who have been disenfranchised from the mental health care system and to treat those who have needs that others seem unable to address. He considered his work in the mental health profession a calling and was dedicated to making sure that ALL people had a voice and knew they had worth. He was especially devoted to work with veterans. His passion for his work and his compassion for others were true gifts to his clients, co-workers and all who knew him.

Though Dennis was dedicated to his work, the true joys of his life were his family and friends. He dearly loved his ''girls'' and his son-in-law, John. Every person who was lucky enough to know Dennis benefitted from his caring nature, listening ear, kind heart and great laugh. He loved nature, the outdoors, and visiting the national parks. Dennis took every chance he had to go fly fishing on the Little Red River, in Alaska, and Costa Rica. His annual pheasant hunting trips with his lifelong friend, Glenn Adams, were a highlight and the source of many stories. He was never without one of his beloved spaniels by his side. He carried on the family tradition of loyalty to the Razorbacks and was a basketball player in both high school and college. His wife knew her husband's deep love for her, his daughters felt their father's keen pride in them, and his granddaughters understood that they were the apples of his eye.

Left to cherish the memories they shared with Dennis are his wife of 43 years, Anne Smith Wells of Benton; daughter, Lindsey Wells of Benton, daughter Julie Council and husband, John of Fayetteville, granddaughters Olivia and Lily Council, his brother Shannon Wells and his wife Delores, of Ft. Smith, as well as a host of other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Lorene Wells of Fort Smith.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation with family immediately afterward, in the Chapel of Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home, 6700 Alcoa Road, Benton.

Masks are encouraged due to the high-risk category of many of our guests.

Memorials may be given to the GAIN Assertive Community Treatment Home patient fund at Gaininc.org.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home
6700 Alcoa Road
Benton, AR  72019
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com