Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 6, 2023

CHARLOTTE – Mr. Donald “Don” Hemphill Denton, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.  He was born May 4, 1937, the son of Donald H. Denton, Sr. and Isabel Crawford Denton.  Don was the oldest of three siblings. On May 4, 1963, Don married Delle Darby of Camden, SC, his loving wife of 60 years.

A native of Philadelphia, PA, Don’s family moved to Charlotte in 1953 where he graduated from Myers Park High School.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University in 1960.  Following graduation, he joined the Air National Guard, earning the rank of Captain.  He was a member of the firm, J N Pease, Architectural and Engineering Associates for several years before joining Duke Power Company in 1966, where he spent the remainder of his career.  During his career, he led multiple functions including marketing, rates and strategic planning.  In 1993, Don was named Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer, a position he held until his retirement.  Don and his team developed strategies, implementation plans and negotiated mergers and acquisitions, including Duke Power’s merger with Pan Energy Corp. of Houston, TX in 1993 that created Duke Energy Corporation.

Don was known for his industry knowledge, strategic thinking and calm demeanor, often serving as a representative of the company externally and an expert witness with regulators.  During his career, Don served numerous organizations shaping energy policy in the state including the NC Governor’s Energy Policy Council, the Governor’s Study Committee on NC Energy, and the SC Energy Policy Planning Advisory Panel.  He served as chairman for several committees with the Edison Electric Institute, a member of the Executive Board of the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council, the board of directors of Electric Utility Association of the Americas, and the Encouraging Environmental Industrial Electrotechnology Laboratory Advisory Board, The Keystone Energy Board, and The Conference Board of Planning Executives.  Don also served as president of the South Piedmont Chapter of Professional Engineers of NC, president of the Southern Piedmont Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc. as well as a member of the National Board of Directors of ASHRAE.

Outside of work, Don believed in supporting the communities where he lived.  He served as a member of the Greater Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, the Dean’s Advisory Council at Duke University, Board of Directors of Charlotte Repertory Theater, Mecklenburg County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Governor’s Business Council on the Arts and Humanities in NC.

Don was a devoted member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church where he was a Deacon and former Sunday school teacher.  In 2020, he was humbled but very proud to receive the prestigious Legacy Award from the Presbytery of Charlotte.  The Legacy Award recognized his long commitment to service and “exemplifying positive images of aging personally and serving as a role model to generations for growing older with a sense of God’s Grace.”

In addition to his wife Delle, Don is survived by his daughter, Darby “Deede” Denton of Charlotte, NC; son, Don Denton and his wife, Diane of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, William and Alex Denton of Charlotte, NC, and his sister, Susanne Denton Pierce of Ocean Isle Beach, NC.   Also surviving are his niece, Julie Pierce Sandridge of Raleigh, NC, and nephew, Robert Craig Pierce of Shallotte, NC.  Mr. Denton was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bruce Crawford Denton.

A memorial service for Don will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.  The family will receive friends following the service in Oxford Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Don to Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Pl, Charlotte, NC 28207 or Southminster Community Fund, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 or a charity of the donor’s choice.   

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.