Dennis Ray Platt

Dennis Ray Platt, 73, of Ogden, Utah passed away peacefully at his home, September 28, 2015 after a valiant three year battle with lymphoma cancer.

He was born May 15, 1942, in Pontiac, Illinois to George Joseph Platt and Elba Clydene Richardson.   He graduated from Springfield High School, Springfield, Illinois in 1962.  He went on to Gallaudet University graduating in 1966 with a BS in Mathematics.  He played varsity soccer and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Pi fraternity.  He married Valerie G. Kinney in 1967 and they were later divorced.  On September 19, 1987, he married Shirley Diane Hortie (Christian) in Hyattsville, Maryland and she survives.  After college, he moved to Ogden, Utah where he had a job waiting for him at the Weber County Recorder’s Office as a programmer.  He retired in 1995.

Dennis was a beloved and well respected leader in sports and civic organizations.  Active in the Deaf community most of his adult life, he volunteered for various advocacy organizations serving the Deaf Community.  For over 45 years, he devoted his life to the betterment of the lives of deaf people.  He was named Outstanding Young Alumnus by the Kiwanis Club.

After college, it didn’t take him long to participate in sports, notably softball, basketball and golf. He gave willingly of his time and expertise. He started out as player and coach, and eventually held offices in various organizations – President of USA Deaf Basketball, and Vice President of Finance for American Athletic Association of the Deaf (now the USA Deaf Sports Federation). Through the years he accumulated many honors and awards.  The Northwest Athletic Association of the Deaf (NWAAD) inducted him into their Hall of Fame as a Leader. USA Deaf Sports Federation bestowed with the Art Kruger Leadership Award and inducted him into their Hall of Fame as a Leader.  He was excellent golfer and won many deaf tournaments.   He and Shirley were much loved “parents” to many deaf athletes. 

He was selected as an Olympic Torchbearer for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.  He carried the torch on Washington Blvd. in Ogden.

From 2002 to 2007, Dennis served as Vice Chair of Finance for the XVIth Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City in 2007 (under the auspices of the International Committee on Sports for the Deaf.)

On the civic side, he was a member of the Kiwanis; and the Utah Association of the Deaf, where he served a total of thirty years in various positions, notably President. UAD honored him with the Golden Hand Award.  He was a lifetime member of the UAD. Dennis was also a member of the Institutional Council at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind for a number of years. He was an excellent parliamentarian at many meetings.   He was an emcee for the Miss Deaf Idaho and the Miss Deaf Utah Pageants; his sparkling personality and humor entertained his many friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Shirley Hortie Platt; his wonderful and loving children, Catherine A. (Bourke D.) Tarbet;  John Francis (Stephanie Evans) Platt; and Roger A. (Jeanne M. Neibert) Christian, Jr.;  six grandchildren: Marissa A. (Travis J. Bennett) Tarbet; Bourke D. (Jamie) Tarbet V;  Justin L. (Candice R. Tapman) Christian, Logan H. Platt, Delilah G. Christian, and Cody B. Christian.  He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Bourke D. Tarbet VI, Callie Jane Tarbet, Lilianna Marie Christian and (unborn) Hunter Ray Scott Christian; his aunt Ruby I. Lloyd; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, David Michael Platt and John Thomas Platt; his grandparents, Benjamin J. and Bessie Mulligan Platt; and Clyde and Marie Forth Richardson.

He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law; Margaret A. Hortie, Nancy L. Hortie (Jerry J.) Meyers of Salisbury, MD; Robert E. (Nancy D. Gonzales) Hortie, Jr. of Centreville, MD; Ronald F. (Phyllis M. Butler) Hortie of New Market, MD; Laurie A. Hortie; and Elizabeth H. (Kimball Barnes) Hortie of Greenbelt, MD. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 12:00 pm at Aaron’s Mortuary, 496 24th St, Ogden, Utah 84401.  Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the USA Deaf Sports Federation-Dennis R. Platt Memorial Fund for deaf scholar/athletes participating in the Deaflympics, PO Box 22011, Santa Fe, NM 87502.