Dennis Duane Gray

Dennis D. Gray, 68, of Polk, died on Friday, January 20, 2017, at Litzenberg Memorial County Hospital in Central City. Memorial services will be on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hordville Event Center in Hordville with Sister Mary Arie officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 25, from 5-7 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Dennis Duane Gray was born on September 4, 1948, in York, Nebraska, to Jason E. and Audrey (Hansen) Gray. Dennis grew up in Cordova, NE, until the 7th grade, when his family moved to Silver Creek. He graduated from Silver Creek High School in 1966. Following graduation he went to Wayne State College, where he graduated in 1970 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. Following his college graduation, he moved to Ashland-Greenwood, where he spent two years teaching. He then moved to Silver Creek where he worked for Gerhold Concrete for a year. In 1973 he went back to the classroom as a science teacher at Hordville. While at Hordville High School he attained his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1978. He remained in Hordville, became a teacher-principal in 1983, and received his 6-year Specialist Certificate from UNL in 1984. In 1985 Dennis became the superintendent of Hordville Schools, and when they consolidated in 1987 with Polk to become Polk-Hordville Schools, he then became superintendent there as well. He would again be involved in a second consolidation of the school system in 2000 when they became High Plains Community. Dennis remained superintendent until his retirement in 2008. During his career within the school systems, he was a golf coach at Ashland-Greenwood, football and basketball coach at Hordville, and a volleyball coach at Polk-Hordville. Some of his highlights during his coaching career were going to multiple state tournaments and getting to hand out the state championship medals to the 1981 and 1982 state champion boys basketball teams from Hordville High School. On August 8, 1981, Dennis D. and Jeri M. (Varva) Gray were united in marriage in Hordville. They recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. Dennis was a member of Fridhem Lutheran Church in Hordville, The Lion’s Club, and Valley View Golf Course. During his professional career, he was a member of the NSEA, NEA, NCA, NRCSA, NCSA, AASA, NSAA, and served as the President and Secretary of the Crossroads Conference on different occasions. He also helped at the Polk Senior Center, helping to deliver meals to their members. Dennis enjoyed golfing, traveling, Husker sports, and gardening. His greatest love was for his family, especially spending time with his four grandchildren. Those left to cherish his memory are, his mother – Audrey Gray of Silver Creek, his wife – Jeri of Polk, his son – Aaron (Crystal) Gray of Central City, his daughter – Stephanie (David) Carlson of Clarks, his siblings – Phillip (Kathy) Gray of Omaha, Darrol (Fran) Gray of Shelby, Carol Richards of Silver Creek, Donna (Scott) Alexander of Silver Creek, and Terry (Tammy) Gray of Silver Creek, and his grandchildren – Jeremiah and Noah Carlson, and Jack and Ashley Gray. He was preceded in death by his father – Jason Gray.

Dennis Duane Gray

September 4, 1948 - January 20, 2017