Mayo DeBey Obituary
Cecil was born on September 1, 1927, to Gertie (Verhage) and Henry DeBey in Dispatch Kansas. With older brother Harold (deceased) and sister Alta Gilbertson (deceased), he grew up during the Dust Bowl days of Kansas and moved with his family to Greeley, where his dad established DeBey's service station.Cecil graduated from College High School in 1945 and enlisted in the United States Navy for two years. After serving in the Navy, he returned to Greeley and attended Colorado State College. Cecil married Emma Mae Blackwill (deceased) on March 29, 1949.
Cecil graduated from Colorado State College in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts and became a teacher-superintendent in the one room school at Bracewell. Co. He taught at Fort Lupton Jr. High School, Heath Jr. High School and Greeley West High School and was a wrestling coach for many of his teaching years. Mr. DeBey did so much of his teaching with the stories he would tell his students and was a favorite teacher of many. Cecil retired after 35 years of teaching from District 6 but continued to substitute teach in Windsor, Loveland, Longmont, Berthoud and Johnstown until he was 80 years old. In 2010 Cecil was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Colorado Chapter, for his life long contribution to the sport of wrestling.
He is survived by his oldest son, Hank and his wife Marie Noelle living in India; His son Chris, living in Windsor, CO and his daughter, Ann and her husband, Tom Heardt, living in Las Vegas, NV and his daughter-in-law, Sue DeBey, living in Sacramento CA. Cecil's youngest son, Tom passed away in 2017.
Cecil is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Henry DeBey (Anna), Sam DeBey (Julie), Christi Basden (Jason), Samantha DeBey (Rob), Wyatt DeBey, Crystal Miller (Tolan), Kelly Sutton (Drew), April Harding (Jon), Holly Heardt and great grandchildren, Kaden and Kenzie Miller, Sofia Harding and Maelle DeBey.
He is also survived by his former wife, Kathryn Huisjen.
A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00pm at
Windsor United Methodist Church, 503 Walnut St., Windsor, CO 80550
In lieu of flowers please email a special memory of Cecil DeBey to: [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jane B
May 22, 2023
We loved having Cecil substitute for us at Berthoud High School. The kids love
D having him and often requested that we ask for him. He was a wonderful human being and an excellent teacher. I know his family misses him as much today as they did in September. So very sorry for your loss.
David Frazier
January 22, 2023
Cecil was my wrestling coach at Greeley West High School for three years, 1966-1968. He was also my Chemistry teacher my senior year. I really enjoyed his coaching. He helped me become a better wrestler. And his Chemistry class was an essential part of my high school education as it prepped me for future advanced chemistry classes I would end up taking in college. Cecil was a very supportive coach and teacher. I consider it a real blessing that I had him as a mentor during my high school years. I will not forget him. Rest in Peace Coach!
Dan Graham
January 20, 2023
Mr.Debey was far and away the best Jr. High teacher I ever had. Outdoor education was one of the classes that led me to a lifetime of outdoor activities I enjoy to this day!! RIP my good man!!
Amy Gilbertson Murphy
January 6, 2023
My Uncle Cecil, When I (Amy) was 8 yrs old, staying at the farm, I came into the house and Uncle Cecil said "Amy, Ann, drop the barbie dolls and come to the Cow Barn fast as you can!" I learned that day how a breached calf was born-a gift of nature. Uncle Cecil gave me wisdom, knowledge, experience, teaching, surviving, and learning to be happy with your own self. Age is a work of art. Luva/Miss and Thanks for being a wonderful Uncle Cecil!
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Shirley Gilbertson
January 2, 2023
I have many memories of Uncle Cecil. He has been my biggest cheerleader since the day that I became a part of the family. Every time Bill and I had a new baby, Cecil was right there welcoming the new baby. He would come to all of the birthday parties and was a great presence in their early lives. Being a teacher myself, I always enjoyed the many stories Cecil had to share about his extensive teaching career. From what I´ve read and heard, everyone loved having Cecil as a teacher. One time, our son Nick and his friends spent a weekend at Cecil´s farm. Being city boys, they were amazed to learn about life on the farm. They still speak about that to this day!
Cecil was so kind to my parents who were deaf. He always included them in Christmas Eve and made them feel welcome whenever he was in the room. He did his best to learn a little sign language attempting to talk the them in his own way. He´ll never know how much I appreciated him including them in his family.
Who can even think about Cecil without mentioning oyster stew. I faced a lot of ridicule for not ever trying his oyster stew every Christmas Eve. I do believe Cecil, Bill, and my dad were the only ones that would enjoy the Christmas Eve tradition of oyster stew.
Cecil was always available to celebrate birthdays, weddings, and Christmas Eve! Our family was always happy to see his smiling face and hear a new story or two.
Once Cecil moved to Florida, our visits were only once or twice a year. He sure loved his sailboat!
We were delighted when Cecil returned to his hometown of Greeley. Bill and I visited him often always ending with a lunch out at the restaurants across the street. Up until the end Cecil always ordered a beer while he insisted Bill and I get food and a drink. After knowing Cecil for 50 years, he was still able to entertain us with stories we had never heard before.
The summer before his passing Cecil was the biggest cheerleader for our granddaughter, Maddie. Maddie played volleyball and Cecil would watch the videos we sent as well as some of the games that were streamed online. Maddie had a tournament in Greeley, and Cecil was so excited to be able to watch her in person. Unfortunately, he did not feel well enough to attend the game, but cheered from his bed. I know he will continue to be her heavenly cheerleader as she continues her journey into college volleyball.
Cecil, I will miss your stories and visiting with you in Greeley. Say hi to my Mom and Dad and let them know we all know you will be our angels watching and guiding us from above.
Love, Shirley
The Gilbertson family: Bill, Shirley and family
January 2, 2023
My Uncle Cecil was one of a kind! I know most people knew him as an excellent teacher and/or a coach in Northern Colorado. He was a very special member of our family and as the last loved one in our family from the "Greatest Generation" we will miss his life experiences and wisdom. He left me with so many memories and stories it would fill a book. I know he will continue his adventures in heaven with his Mom, Gertie: Dad, Henry: Sister, Alta: Brother, Harold: Son, Tom: and wife Emmy.. We love you and miss you Uncle Cecil!
Sharon Linhart
December 5, 2022
What a great spirit! Coach DeBey exuded a joy for life, wonderful humor and insightful intellect. I remember him fondly!
Richard Urano
December 5, 2022
My condolences to the DeBey family. I have had the privilege of knowing "Coach" as a student and athlete at Ft Lupton, a opponent of his when he was at Greeley West as wrestling coach. I´ve known Coach for over 65 years and have many fond memories of our time together. He may be gone but will never be forgotten!!
Edna Mae (Walter) Nelson
December 4, 2022
I had Mr Debey in the 7th and 8th grades at Bracewell and was a great teacher what ever the subject he was teaching.
BEBE Hayes
December 4, 2022
Roy Hayes and Cecil were best friends in high school. Roy passed October 30, 2022. They had 94 great years and will be missed by family and friends.
Judy (Walter) Boker
December 4, 2022
Mr. Debey was the best. I was fortunate to have him at Bracewell as our principal, at Heath for science and then at Greeley West. He had a great sense of humor and cared so much for teaching and coaching. He will be missed by many.
Alan Gould
December 3, 2022
He was a great teacher. Learned a lot from him about science and life in general. He was also a great family friend of the Rapp's and the Gould's. Rest in peace Cecil.
Daniel Ortega
December 1, 2022
My deepest condolences to the Debay families. Mr. Debay was such an important presence at Heath Jr. High, teaching science all aspects while holding my and other´s attention wanting to learn more from this amazing Teacher giving all he had. May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ welcome him Home with God.
Mark scaggs
December 1, 2022
Mr. DeBey was one of my favorite teachers I had him for a science class and then I had him as a teachers aid for a semester he was always one of the best lotta good teachers at Heath junior high but I always remember Mr. DeBey. I have thought about him so many times over the years what a great person and a great teacher. Rest in peace and a life well lived.
Angie Neuschwanger
December 1, 2022
Mr DeBey was one of my FAVORITE teachers at Heath Jr High. I remember him letting me bring in a couple´s of my brothers pet rats.
Verlyn Mahan
December 1, 2022
Coach you were the best. We're going to miss you. Always enjoyed getting the wrestlers together to have breakfast with you the last few years. I imagine that God had a sailboat waiting for you when you got to heaven so you could sail all over heaven. We're all going to miss you.
TL
December 1, 2022
May your memories give you peace and comfort of your loved one. Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for the loss of your loved one. May GOD be with you all during this difficult time. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we have faith that Jesus died and rose again, so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus.
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