Earl Lauder Denney Jr.

Earl Lauder Denney, Jr. passed away peacefully on June 27, 2022, in Linville, North Carolina, at age 79. Earl was born on February 18, 1943, in Jacksonville, Florida, where he grew up He was the eldest of the five children of Earl L. Denney, Sr. and Edna E. (“Libby”) Denney. He is survived by his wife, Melanie Harris, his son, Brian R. Denney, daughter, Kimberly Denney, both of West Palm Beach, Florida, stepchildren, Vanessa J. Grout of Miami Beach, and Jack Grout. Grandchildren born of Brian and Rosemary Denney are Juliana Denney, Isabel and Francesca Denney, twins, and Amelia Denney. Born of Jack Grout is Gia Grout, all of West Palm Beach. A founder of the West Palm Beach trial law firm, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart and Shipley, where he practiced law for over forty years, Earl was an accomplished trial lawyer who took true joy in achieving justice for his clients and mentoring young lawyers. He was a leader of many legal organizations and was the past president of the Palm Beach Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, past vice president and board member of the Palm Beach County Science Museum and past president and member of the board of the Education Foundation of Pam Beach County. Earl was a consummate professional and treated everyone with respect, no matter their station in life. In the later part of his career, he practiced law with his son, which was a highlight of his professional life. Earl earned a Bachelor of Arts at Florida State University which he attended from 1960-1963 and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He then earned his Juris Doctor degree at The University of Mississippi “Ole Miss” which he attended from 1964-1967 during the civil rights movement, where he actively stood up for equal rights and justice. This was a quality he held onto his whole life. Earl was a true intellectual and conversationalist who could hold his own with experts on any subject. He was a student of history and a voracious reader and writer. His love of learning and curiosity for the wonders of life stayed with him until his final days. In his mid-life, Earl was just as comfortable on a tractor at his ranch in Sebring, Florida, as he was in a courtroom. He could often be found walking his property or driving the perimeter in his bright red Ford F150 with his cowboy hat or walking through his orange groves, picking and tasting the oranges. Earl loved the great outdoors and took great pleasure in sharing his love and respect for nature with his family. Later in life, Earl loved tending to his garden in North Carolina, reading and spending time with his wife and family. “Pop-Pop” adored his five granddaughters and they loved listening to his vivid stories. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends who loved him for the unique person that he was. A memorial service to celebrate Earl’s life is planned for July 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1300 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to Crossnore School & Children’s Home, Crossnore, North Carolina.Read Obituary