Dexter Greenhaw, former band director, dies at 52
Published 9:41 pm Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Former Clements High School band director Dexter Greenhaw died Wednesday at home at age 52.
Greenhaw, who had amyotropic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) was wheelchair bound and was being cared for by his family and, for the past seven months, by Hospice of Limestone County workers.
“His voice was very weak but he talked about love,” said his mother, Edna Greenhaw, of his last hours. “He was ready to die.”
Mrs. Greenhaw said Dexter’s wife Cindy and his son Ian were with him when he died just after 1 a.m.
“He was very peaceful,” she said. “He was peaceful through this whole ordeal.”
She last spoke to her son Tuesday night. She said as she leaned to kiss his forehead as she typically did before leaving, he asked her to kiss his cheek.
“That’s the last thing he said to me,” she said. “We’re going to miss him.”
Brian Patterson, Limestone County Revenue Commissioner and a long-time friend of Dexter’s, said Dexter touched many lives with his music.
“Through all the pain, I never heard him complain,” Patterson said. “Dexter looked at his disease as a way to touch other people. In his 52 years, he has lived more than some who lived to be 100.”
Dexter had an extended “family” in the community, he said.
“Dexter always told me you can choose your friends, and good friends become family,” Patterson said.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Friendship United Methodist Church multipurpose building with Dr. Calvin Havens and Steve Dorning officiating and McConnell Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be from noon to 2:45 p.m. Friday at the multipurpose building. For more information, visit the church’s Web site at www.friendshipumc.org/
Clements High students and alumni raised money at a September homecoming football game to buy a handicapped van for Greenhaw’s frequent trips to a doctor in Huntsville.
Students from other schools where Greenhaw led bands during his 27-year career also joined the fundraising, including those at Hartselle High School in Morgan County and Lee High School in Madison County.
Greenhaw graduated from Athens High School in 1973 and pursued a degree in music at the University of North Alabama. He formed a band called Dexter and the Derbies as a teen that played locally and recorded records. He played with the musical group Denim for 25 years.
He continued to hold the title director of music at Friendship United Methodist Church until his death.
He was born Feb. 15, 1955, to Dub and Edna Greenhaw, owners of Dub’s Burgers.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years; two sons, Zach Greenhaw of Snellville, Ga., and Ian Greenhaw of Athens; his mother; a brother, Johnny Greenhaw; and one granddaughter, Allie Grace Greenhaw.
He was preceded in death by his father and three sisters, Jean Sharpe, Jane Patterson and Barbara Lipham.
The family asks that donations be made to Friendship United Methodist Church Building Fund or Hospice of Limestone County in lieu of flowers.