Columbia City High School
Alumni Database
HOME * = Has Email ** = Deceased

Tips for Entering Your Profile 
ADD A NAME REUNION INFO MAIN INDEX CLASS MEMORIES WEBMASTER

1948 proved a year of continued celebration of the nation's momentous victory in World War II. America's heroes eagerly returned home to a country filled with renewed spirit and hope ready to claim their share of the American Dream, which they fought so proudly for overseas. As American prosperity grew like no time in our history hope sprang eternal and the Greatest Generation soon proliferated creating the age of the Baby Boomers. In Columbia City, Indiana, the cause for celebration grew even greater as Dale L. and Orpha (Watson) Gay welcomed their son Dennis into their hearts and home on December 23rd.

Denny's childhood was spent in the comforts of his loving parents, and the companionship his sister Trudy and his brother Gary. Growing up in the family home on Madison Street in Columbia City afforded Denny the time's typical childhood centered around the wild success of the automobile industry. By the mid-1950s seven out of ten families owned a car and for the Gay family that was excellent news! At the age of 13, Denny began proudly working with his father at the family's filling station, Dale's Service Station, on Van Buren. It is there that Denny not only learned the value of hard work but the art of effective customer service. Denny grew to be a gregarious people person whose eagerness to help others out proved a blessing to many.

One of Denny's greatest blessings was his good fortune in being set up on a blind date with Deborah J. Baker. Denny's cousin and Debbie's best friend were dating at the time and figured Denny and Debbie were a sure fit. The date was such a success that on January 27, 1967, the happy couple made their wedding vows at Grace Lutheran Church with the Reverend Graham L. Kleespie presiding over and blessing their union. Soon after, Denny and Debbie welcomed three treasured children into their family; son Troy, daughter Jodi, and son Jade. Denny welcomed fatherhood as his greatest life work. He devoted himself to being a solid provider for and undauntable believer in his children. Denny proved to be his children's number one fan, passionately supporting all of their endeavors. Each of his children holds fond memories of Denny's enthusiastic willingness to participate in any of their adventures. They especially treasure his earnest cheering of their efforts at the local ballpark and motocross track.

1978 brought great change to the Gay family when Denny's father died. For about a year after his father's passing, Denny supported his family by working on tractors and went on to driving semis, even though it was not one of his favorite jobs. He and his wife then purchased Due's Restaurant. Soon after he was talked into selling cars and went to work for Kelley Chevrolet in Ft. Wayne. To no one's surprise, Denny was a natural. His long honed customer service, commitment to hard work, and eagerness to help others forged a successful 20-year career in car sales at Thompson Chevrolet in Columbia City.

Denny retired in 2010 and spent the bulk of the next six years savoring the additional time to enjoy life. Whether playing cards, especially his favorite Hand and Foot, going out with friends, mowing his yard, working outside, polishing the chrome on his '66 Chevy Deuce, or watching IU sports Denny embraced each day as a gift. He relished in Sunday's as the family always gathered for dinner, marking the past week's challenges and accomplishments, while charting hopes for the next. Denny's heart was never fuller than in the presence of his wife, children, and grandchildren who blessed him with tremendous delight. He held his role as a grandfather with great honor and did his best to support his grandchildren in every possible way.

Arizona and Florida proved to places Denny tremendously enjoyed getting to travel to on several occasions. He liked Florida so much he had it on his list of places to visit one more time. Denny and his family were blessed to share one last hurrah together this past January when they traveled to Cape Coral and reveled in two special weeks together. Upon returning home, Denny's health declined rapidly, and he needed to be admitted into the hospice unit at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.
">

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU!

You can upload photographs of yourself here, either a senior picture or one of you now. Before uploading, please size your pictures to about 85 pixels wide x 125 pixels tall(4" x 6" maximum size), with a resolution of 72-300 dpi. This keeps the images small but still viewable. To replace a picture you have already uploaded, just upload a new picture in its place. Thanks.

Photo to Upload:
Short Caption For Photo:
Type Of Photo:   Senior Photo Recent Photo
 
Database Footer

Class Coordinators needed.  If your class does not have a Class Coordinator listed with its officers, you can volunteer by clicking here: webmaster@cchsaa.org.  For more info, click here

© 2005 Columbia City High School Alumni Association     This page last modified 09/27/2006