Remembering the things we did together as kids, puts a smile on my face and happiness in my heart.  As we grow up, even if we don't see each other or speak often, those memories will always keep us in touch.  
...and don't let this cute silly photo fool you, Denny and I had already learned to drive by this age! 
Happy 50th Birthday Denny, wishing you nothing but a lifetime of happiness!
Love Stacey  

A gentleman and a scholar.  A hard worker, and successful businessman.   A good family man, even as far as extending his family to help and comfort others in need across the world.  Sociable.  Willing to try anything.  Devoted to his sports teams (even if one of them happens to be USC).  Down to earth, yet romantic.  That's Denny Hooten.   
If he didn't have a track record of hanging out in a coffee shop pretending to learn Chinese from a book until he was able to successfully stalk and hook a woman of Asian persuasion, he'd be the perfect guy.  Nevertheless, we wish him a very happy birthday.
Gary McKay

Here's what Gary is talking about...

Denny
Really wish we could be with you tonight with all your great friends .
You have the greatest parties .
Unfortunately we have out of town very close friends from Florida and they only have tonight.
Hope we can see you and Leyna soon, lots to catch up .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENNY!
Elton Gallegly

I’m so sorry that I can’t attend your 50th birthday party.  I will be thinking of you.  I’m sending a few pictures of childhood memories w/you, Todd, Stacey & Misty.    I hope you remember them as fondly as I do.  Love & miss you.
Love, Nanny

July 7, 2015...hangin' with my brother from another mother in Pamplona Spain. The best wing man a friend can ask for!
Bob Badal

Denny,
We met at work and quickly became 'work husbands', being supportive of each other in a very crazy environment.  Your humor and insight helped us get through some really challenging times.  It was during this time that I realized you had a heart of gold and would be my friend for life.  
A few months into our work, I remember us discussing a possible date you might have and you showed me a picture, we both agreed, you must go for it.  That picture was Leyna!  It was fun for me to watch your romance blossom with her over the coming months and years, even though she stole you away from me ha ha.
So many memories of work, both challenging and rewarding as we were changing lives.  You have changed many lives, including mine.  Always there, supportive and helpful.  Although I am in Florida, I know you are just a call away and we meet up when we cross paths.
I look forward to our football battles coming up as USC joins the Big 10 in the coming years and know there are many memories to be made!  Especially with Richard and Leyna! 
So I bid you a very special Happy Birthday, 50 years and many more to come!  Thanks for making a difference in my life and so many around the world!

Love you brother!  Go Buckeyes!
Mark

I like how Denny looks at Leyna with love and he’s such a good stepdad to her kids. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him at their parties & concerts we have gone to.
Please wish him happy bday!
​Kimberly

Words could never capture how proud I am to be your daughter. Not only have I had the honor of watching you grow, but I’ve also been lucky enough to experience it with you everyday of my life. I couldn’t ask for a better role model, or best friend. So much of who I am is because of you, from my interest in learning, to my obsession with traveling, or even my inability to function without everything written in a calendar. I look up to you more than you will ever know, and am eternally grateful that I get to have you by my side for every obstacle and adventure. Thank you for every sacrifice you’ve made for me, I can only hope to be a fraction of the parent that you’ve been for me, Dylan, and Kayla. I love you more than words could ever articulate. Happy 50th Old Man!
​  Kailyn

To Denny: Happy Birthday big man! Hope you party like a Rockstar!
​Kyle

"I like how even after he's had a hard day working, Denny stays happy and he doesn't play country music when I'm in the car even though he likes it."
Kayla

Dear Denny,
Thank you so much for coming into our lives. We all love you so very much. Thank you for helping with everything everywhere and especially helping me with school, bikes, cars, and life. Thank you for teaching me and thank you for being the best stepdad in the world. Love you, sir!
Dylan

Dear Denny,

    Of course Janet and I are bummed that we have a conflict. One that we did not know about sooner.  We are sorry that we had to send regrets.  As you know, I knew you here at the Beach Cities
before you met your "better half". 
    I was so stoked to see you and Leyna together on social media and that I was able to connect with you for many fun events from that day forward.
  You have been blessed with a beautiful life and are willing to step aside of yourself and give lots of it back to others.
   I'm happy to be on a familiar path with you my Friend
and Brother.  
     We can't wait to celebrate your milestone birthday
with you and Leyna in the near  future.

Hugs and Best Wishes from Hermosa Beach
Dennis ( Janet too !!! )

Hooten: The best salesman I ever met.

   About 15 years ago, I met this handsome, polished, well-educated young man while I was living in the South Bay doing a lot of business with the folks at Walmart and Sam’s Club. His name was Denny Hooten. Not only could he relate to my customers and friends in Bentonville, Arkansas but he even had that “southern charm” and drawl whenever he spoke.
   Our business was growing rapidly and required me to travel to Bentonville at least once a month usually staying up to four or five days at a time. Consequently, I decided to hire an account executive who was not only well-versed in business, but who had both charm and the ability to sell “snow to the Eskimos.“
   Around the same time I also met his daughter, Kailyn Hooten. Kailyn, who was a young Girl Scout at the time and who would easily sell close to $800 worth of Girl Scout cookies inside of 10 minutes to her perfect target, gullible guys like me and a few of my closest friends at a Thursday night “spiritual gathering.”      Kailyn had the same charm and charisma as Denny, but hers was accompanied by a magical twinkle in her eyes. I was absolutely mystified at how smoothly and effortlessly she could win the attention and admiration of so many people so quickly; there was no question that she was a natural born sales person and one that I would hire in a heartbeat.
   Both Denny and Kailyn had then, and have now, an incredible ability to charm and communicate and woo any potential customer, or innocent bystander for that matter.
    In short, I knew I had found the perfect Account Executive to handle all of our Walmart and Sam Club business with complete confidence and professionalism.
     Unfortunately…Kailyn was only eight years old at the time, so I hired Denny instead!! Happy birthday “Hoot” to the second best Hooten sales person that I’ve ever met and certainly one of the most joyful and charismatic. 
​Much love “My Brother from another mother.”

Happy birthday Number 50
Love,      Brumeister