Roll Call Tribute

Dennis Gordon Lay '82
Austin, Texas
February 26, 1954 - January 4, 2021

Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry under legendary chemist Dr. F. Albert Cotton. 36 year career: The Dow Chemical Company, ACT I, and culminating as VP R&D and Executive Officer for Rust-Oleum Company.

Known by many and loved by all. Survivors: loving wife of 37.5 year, Judi Waller Lay '83; daughter, Lauren and son-in-law, Alvaro; granddaughter, Emmeline; son, Brendan and daughter-in-law, Michelle; mother, Edna; sister, Denise and brother-in-law Tom Cox and nephew, TC and niece, Jessica; brother, Derrick Lay and sister-in-law Teresa and nephews, Austin and Trent and niece Madison; sister, Lisbeth and brother-in-law, Mike Leist and nieces Jaimie, Bailey and McKenna; Mother-in-law, Billie Moore; Brother-in-law, Edwin Waller and wife Rosa and nephew Lee; Brother-in-law, Steve Waller and wife Terri and niece Hannah, Aunts, and great niece and nephew. He will be missed dearly by his Family, many Friends, and Colleagues.

Dennis was larger than life. He lived his life fully and enjoyed staying very active. He had a great positive attitude, infectious laugh, dry sense of humor and people loved to spend time with him. He loved his Family and Friends dearly. He was extremely intelligent, outgoing, visionary and loved leading and developing individuals whether it was coaching his son’s and daughter’s select soccer teams or his R&D employees and colleagues.

Dennis was a diehard Texas Aggies Football and Basketball fan and supported Texas A&M through Century Club Membership. He was a faithful member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church for many years in Lake Jackson, TX. Dennis served as Jr. High Methodist Youth Fellowship Counselor and as a United Methodist Army Youth Fellowship Mission Team Leader for a number of years. Dennis loved to golf, ski, hike, camp, bike, exercise and keep in great shape, vacation, read, cook, grill, explore and travel.

Dennis and Judi’s deep love and faith kept their marriage strong throughout their lives together and especially during his 4.5 year valiant fight with brain cancer. Family and Friends kept Dennis and Judi’s spirits up and their granddaughter, Emmeline, who was born shortly before they moved back to Austin, brought pure joy into their lives.

The Lay Family plans to create a memorial scholarship in Dennis’ name for Texas A&M students pursuing a degree in the sciences. The Family asks that donations be made in Dennis’ memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital so that children have a chance to live a normal life cured of cancer: www.stjude.org/donatetoday.

The Lay Family have planned a Memorial trip and hike 05June-12Jun 2021 in Steamboat Springs, CO where Dennis’ ashes will be spread. If you would like to contact the Lay Family or inquire about the Memorial hike details, please contact Judi Lay at layjudi@outlook.com.