Denis loved to dance. Whether ballroom dancing, square dancing, round dancing, or coaching the church dance group, dancing was always a big part of his life.

The majority of his dancing career was spent teaching round dancing all around the Puget Sound area. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people have learned (and loved) to dance because of him.

He received numerous awards and recognitions for his dancing and teaching career. He was frequently recognized for his impeccable dance choreography, most notably the golden classic, Fascination Waltz.

Most recently he spent a great deal of time sharing his knowledge and experience with instructors and choreographers all around the world through online forums and discussion groups.

Forever after, Denis was a faithful and active member of his church. He answered many callings, most recently to serve on the High Priest's Quorum, and devoted much of his spare time for many years to the genealogical work of the church.

Denis always worked hard to support his family. He was a sheet-metal worker in his twenties, bending tin at the naval ship yards in Bremerton.

His career took an upward turn when he met Alton Alexander, the man who would become his life-long mentor and spiritual leader. Alton recognized his potential and offered him a job as an insurance salesman. Denis excelled in his new career, was promoted through positions of management, and eventually became an independent agent.

As his involvement in dancing expanded in the 1980s, he decided to join his son Chuck's cabinetry business, leaving his evenings and weekends free for dance functions.

Denis eventually retired to teach dancing full time in the early '90s, which he did until Julia and Zach were adopted in 2002.  He then resumed work at a local State Farm Insurance office until he retired fully in 2007.

Denis met the love of his life at a dance hall on the outskirts of Olympia. They got married on October 7, 1962, and have been dancing ever since.

Denis adopted his wife’s five children and raised them as his own. The couple went on to have two more boys, and would eventually adopt two of their great-grandchildren, for a total of nine children.

Denis served in the United States Army and Air Force for four years, primarily as a radar operator in Germany, and was honorably discharged in 1962.

Denis grew up in the Olympia-Lacey area, then Gig Harbor, and finally Tacoma, where he graduated from Stadium High School in 1957.

Stuart Denis Crapo was born in Olympia, Washington, on August 12, 1939 to Cecil Chalmers Crapo and Mary Ethel (Green) Crapo. He was the third of five children.