Douglas Homer Obye, 1950 - 2024

OBYE, DUNN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 9/22/2024 at 20:05:02

Sioux City Journal
27 July 2024

Douglas Obye

Phoenix, Arizona

Douglas Homer Obye, 74, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on July 18, 2024. He was born to Ferne (Dunn) and Charles H. Obye, Jr., on July 3, 1950, in Wayne, Nebraska. Doug graduated from East High School in Sioux City, Iowa in 1968. He then attended Iowa State University in Ames and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. During his time at Iowa State he was a member of the Phi Mu Epsilon Fraternity, a national honorary mathematics fraternity. Doug completed a Master of Arts in Education from Northern Arizona University in 1991.

Doug taught math at Cortez High School in Phoenix, Arizona for 30 years before retiring in 2005. He was proud of his career and enjoyed helping young people learn. He was a beloved teacher during his time at Cortez, as evidenced by the many letters, poems, and pictures gifted to him by students over the years, many of whom mentioned being inspired by Mr. Obye and enjoying math for the first time. Doug received multiple awards and recognitions during his career, including the 2005 Achievement Above All Award from the Glendale Union High School District for outstanding leadership, service, and achievement during his time teaching at Cortez High School. Doug was athletic and participated in basketball and track in high school, and intramural track in college. Along with teaching, he also coached basketball at Cortez High School for a number of years. In the last few years he participated in the Senior Games in track in several states, winning many medals for the 100, 400, and 800 meter races.

Doug enjoyed traveling both nationally and internationally over the years. He spent many summer vacations in Okoboji, Iowa, with his parents, siblings, nephew, and nieces, as well as his beloved cocker spaniel, Cassie. There he spent long summer days swimming, biking, and playing tennis, miniature golf, and card games with his family. Doug was also an avid reader and enjoyed discussing science fiction novels with his nieces.

Doug is survived by his brother-in-law, Douglas White of St. Paul; his three nieces, Sarah Hutchinson (husband Bret Pearson), Katie Hutchinson (husband Wayne Chow), and Jill Hutchinson, all now living in Portland, Oregon; nephew Daniel Finstad of Omaha, Nebraska, and niece Danae Finstad of Racine, Wisconsin. Doug was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Carole Ann (Obye) Hutchinson and Marilyn Joyce (Obye) Finstad.

Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa, at a later date. Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society.