Clements band to host Dexter Greenhaw dedication

By Holly Hollman
hhollman@decaturdaily.com · 340-2445

COXEY — Before football players burst through banners and run through the spirit lines on Clements High School's field next week, there will be 10 minutes of reflection.

Ten minutes for a life that ended after 52 years.

Ten minutes for a band director who touched those around him with music.

Ten minutes for a man who died from a disease that made him feel like a prisoner in his own body, but who refused to feel hopeless.

The 10 minutes at the Oct. 19 game will be for the late Dexter Greenhaw, who died in March from Lou Gehrig's disease. The Clements band is naming its concession stand in Greenhaw's honor.

Greenhaw was band director at Clements and then at Hartselle High in Morgan County. He spent 17 years as the music director at Friendship United Methodist Church.

In an online interview for his church, Greenhaw said the disease forced him into a wheelchair and took away his body's ability to function. His mind, however, was active. Greenhaw said that when he thought about how Jesus had suffered for mankind, he couldn't be hopeless.

"I don't want my funeral to be depressing," Greenhaw said. "I want it to be a celebration."

Band booster Pete Conway said the school wants any of Greenhaw's family, friends and former band members to attend the dedication at Clements. It will start at 6:10 p.m. prior to the football game.

"We have several band booster members this year at Clements that were students of Dexter that now have children in the band," Conway said. "I think that says a lot about Dexter's love of music."

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