Dennis Vye

Obituary G Dennis (Denny) Vye, Ltc., U.S. Army (retired) "Gone Fishing" January 16th, 1930 to December 1st, 2007 Our beloved father died early on December 1st after a courageously fought battle with Leukemia. He was born in Tacoma on January 16th, 1930, one of five children of Maria and George Vye and grew up in Tacoma, graduating from Bellarmine Prep High School in 1949. He played on the first Bellarmine city championship football team and was among the top 100 football players in Pierce County in 100 years. He was also selected as a state champion in track for his record times in running the 440 yard race. After high school he went on to college and is a graduate of Seattle University. Dennis served proudly and with honor in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1976 after 22 years of service including tours in Iran, Vietnam and Thailand. His dream had always been to retire back in Tacoma after the service, which he did, and he then worked at Boeing for many years. He served as president of the Bellarmine Boosters and is a long-time supporter of Bellarmine and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Dennis was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce, and their daughter Deborah and is survived by their children Patrick and his wife Genie, Sharon Gremald and her husband Douglas, and Kathy Gallardo, as well as grandchildren, Christopher, Chelsea, Jena, Whitney, Tony and Alexa. He is also survived by his second wife and friend, Avis and his brother, Michael Vye and many loving relatives. He was a man of great faith who dearly loved his family. He will be deeply missed and well-remembered. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday December 6th, 2007 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 7112 S. 12th St. Tacoma WA. 98465, with a celebration of Dennis's life afterwards in the Church Hall. The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday December 5th, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel (253-572-6003). The inurnment will be held at 11 AM on Friday December 7th, 2007 at Calvary Cemetary, 5212 70th Street West, Tacoma, WA 98467. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneyfuneralhome.com . In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dennis & Joyce Vye Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bellarmine Preparatory High School, 2300 S Washington St., Tacoma WA 98405, phone 253-752-6302.