Former BHS football coach DeLay dies at 75
Brighton Standard Blade
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Author: Steve Smith
BRIGHTON – Brighton High School football coach Pat Sandoval remembered former coach and colleague Gene Delay as “a good man” last week.
DeLay, 75, who coached in the Brighton schools for 23 years, died late last month in Wyoming. His funeral services were in Riverton, Wyo., and his body was cremated.
DeLay coached for 38 years before retiring in 1993. He began his coaching and teaching career in Nebraska and Kansas. He moved to Riverton in 1994.
“Gene DeLay was an excellent coach here at BHS and Vikan Middle School,” said Sandoval, who prepped at Brighton High School before moving on to Adams State College. “I played and coached with him. He was good a man who I had respected very much and looked up to playing for him.
“My condolences go out to his family.”
“Rest in peace Mr. Delay,” said a post from Audrianna Medina on the Fallen Bulldogs page on Facebook. “You were well loved by many students.”
“He was my dad but more than that he was my teacher, my coach, and my friend,” said DeLay’s son, Don. “I love you.”
Gene DeLay was born Sept. 10, 1935, south of Guide Rock, Neb., to Clifford H. and Ilene (Bailey) DeLay. He graduated from Guide Rock High School in 1953. He attended Kearney State College and graduated from Hastings (Neb.) College.
He is survived by his wife, of Riverton; three sons, Don DeLay and his wife, Michelle, of Brighton, Jon DeLay and wife, Lisa, of Parker, and Tim DeLay of Brighton; eight grandchildren; stepchildren, Brad Rapp and wife, Melanie, of Maricopa, Ariz., and Brandon Rapp and wife Garilynn of St. Louis; four stepgrandchildren; two brothers, Duane DeLay of Blue Hill, Neb., and Robert DeLay of Guide Rock; sister, Karen DeLay and Steve Ralston of Alma, Neb.; two brothers-in-law, Darrell Gabel and wife, Robynn, of Lander, Wyo., and Terry Gabel of Chandler, Ariz.
Memorials may be made to the Help for Health Bus, in care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main St., Riverton, Wyo. 82501.
Online obituaries are available, and condolences for the family may be made at www.theDavisFuneralHome.com. Services were under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.