Dennis James Ronan earned both a BA in Education in 1991, and an MA in the Teaching of English as a Second Language in 1994 from Arizona State University.

Dennis found his calling in teaching, whether helping adjust one's golf swing or in the classroom where he taught English and English as a Second Language. An adjunct faculty member for Mesa Community College and ASU, he also taught ESL for some of the region's big employers.

A highlight of his teaching career was a two-month trip to China with aunt (and educator) Dorothy Murphy. He served as department chair several times and was especially proud of his work testing English Language Learners. All together he worked in the Phoenix Union High School District for twenty years, retiring in 2015. 

With no formal training, he taught himself to play the guitar; he could hear a song and promptly play it. He performed as a solo artist in multiple Phoenix area venues and in 1981 formed what would become his signature body of work: Those Fabulous Lum Brothers band. The group eventually released an album of Dennis's original compositions (see iTunes) and graced the Phoenix music scene for thirty plus years.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life, 12 noon-3pm, Sunday March 19th at Aunt Chiladas, 7300 N. Dreamy Draw Dr. in Phoenix.

It was Dennis's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to St. Mary's Food Bank ( smfba.convio.net/DennisRonan ).

He was predeceased by his parents, Bea and Charlie, brother,  two sisters-in-law, and a brother-in-law.

He is survived by his wife Jana Tabeek, six siblings, three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and musician friends too numerous to count.