Dennis Edward Dwyer

Dennis E. Dwyer passed away on August 24th, 2025.

Tribute to a Lover of God, Country, and Tattoos

(post from a friend on Facebook)

I have known Dennis Dwyer since 2004/2005 when we first met during a class at Phoenix Seminary. He was working on his Master of Divinity degree and I was working on my Library Masters. Dennis was an accomplished tattoo artist and, at one time years ago, he not only mass produced tattoo machines and ink, he also hired many tattoo professionals at his prosperous business.

Dennis was also an amazing theologian and itinerant preacher. It took him many years, driving from his store in Tucson, to complete his biblical degree in 2012. We talked and prayed regularly about the struggles he faced as he worked on his studies. He wrote an interesting autobiography of his early life while at the Seminary titled, "God, Country, and Tattoos," published on Amazon in 2011.

He was a proud military veteran and very patriotic. He cared so much for people, especially the homeless, and those who struggled financially. He would regularly go to a nearby convenience store just to sit with the homeless and listen to their stories. He provided a place on his property where homeless individuals or financially struggling souls could stay.

His real joy was teaching youth at a local church as an AWANA Commander. Kids and parents loved his short biblical messages (accessible on the internet) that helped children to be respectful, loving, and obedient. The program involved many directors and leaders who assisted with activities and listened to children's biblical memory verses. Dennis wanted so much to have a church that would overlook his tattoo stigma and allow him to be a teaching pastor in Tucson. This was not to be. However, Dennis would say, when he was tattooing a person for hours, he had the opportunity to share the message of Jesus' Gospel. If he could steer a person away from a controversial image to a culturally acceptable one, he would.