John "Ken" Denlinger

John Kenneth Denlinger (73) of Frederick, MD, a long-time sports writer and columnist at The Washington Post and the author of seven books, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on October 3, 2015 after a valiant battle with esophageal cancer.

He was the beloved husband of Nancy Whitcomb Denlinger, father of Lauri Ann Denlinger Kirby (Mark), Middletown, MD, John Scott Denlinger (Heidi), Columbia, MD,

stepfather of Amy Dodson Rice (Scott), Boonsboro, MD, Bronwyn Dodson Lamb (Mark), Olney, MD; brother of Mary Margaret Leed (Roger), Ephrata, PA; step brother-in-law of Edwin Jay Whitcomb, (Nancy) Silver Spring, MD, Mary Katherine Whitcomb Evans, Silver Spring, MD, Margaret Rhea Whitcomb Graham, Silver Spring, MD; grandfather to David Wayne Styles,Jr. Boonsboro, MD, Hannah Lee Kirby, Middletown, MD, Sarah Elizabeth Denlinger, Columbia, MD,

Emma Marie Denlinger, Columbia, MD; step grandfather to Meaghan Rice Collins (Wesley), Boonsboro, MD, Scott Randolph Rice, Jr., Philadelphia, PA, John Tyler Rice, Boonsboro, MD, Allie Kathleen Lamb, Olney, MD, Carly Kate Lamb, Olney, MD,

Emily Brooke Lamb, Olney, MD; great grandfather to Jameson Mark Collins, Boonsboro, MD; uncle of Christine Elizabeth Leed (Craig Repine), Pittsburgh, PA, Alexander John Leed (Naomi Greenberg) Philadelphia, PA.

Ken was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in July, 1994, the same week he met Nancy. They were married in July 1995. He recovered from his original diagnosis, but was diagnosed again in June, 2011 with esophageal cancer. Since that time, Ken bravely fought this disease with grace, dignity and a bravery fueled by his love of God, family and life.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Kanen Hudhud and his staff at The Cancer Care Center in Frederick, MD for their care, humor, and love. Dr. Hudhud always gave him hope and encouragement and Ken credited Dr. Hudhud and "God and chemicals" with giving him over four years of quality life while he fought this disease. He was a living testimony to so many friends and family, showing us all how to face adversity with a grace, faith and humbleness that was truly God-given.  The family also wishes to thank his two hospice nurses Mary Lou and Linda and our pastor Richard Baker.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to Walkersville United Methodist Church, 22 Main Street, Walkersville, MD 21793 or Hospice of Frederick County, Maryland, 516 Trail Avenue, Frederick, MD 21702.

A celebration of a life well lived will be held Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 3-6PM, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Inurnment will be privately held at Mt. St. Mary's University in Emmittsburg, Maryland.