Beau Bearden/The Ardmoreite
Dennis Furr will be remembered for what he accomplished as a coach and his one-of-a-kind personality.
In the time I knew him, I saw a man who loved softball and who was determined to help each athlete reach their full potential. I was fortunate to see that firsthand as he guided the Lone Grove High School softball team to a pair of state championships and nearly pulled off a three-peat.
Furr was more than a legendary softball coach though – he was a friend to all who crossed his path.
As soon as I heard the news of his passing, I opened Facebook and scrolled through countless posts with kind words, memories and how much he will be missed. It’s clear his passing has deeply affected so many and a loss of this magnitude will be tough to overcome.
I can’t imagine what his family is going through right now and I’m sending prayers. No amount of time can heal a wound like this and it’s going to be especially difficult during the upcoming softball season.
However, I want to focus on a happy moment with Furr and the Lady Horns. This memory is likely one of your favorites, too, if you made the trip to USA Hall of Fame Stadium.
I went back to my article on Lone Grove beating Tecumseh to win back-to-back Class 4A State Championships and watched video of the final out. I’m so thankful to have that memorable moment to look back on as it can bring happiness in these difficult times.
Furr’s comments are also worth reflecting on, especially his response on how Jesse Shuman responded following some miscues the day before.
“Jesse missed the ball yesterday in right field and I kept telling her, ‘Hey, tomorrow is another day. You’ll be great because that’s what you are. And every other day. Tomorrow will be our day,’” Furr said in 2022. “She made two incredible catches that saved multiple runs out there in right field. And drove in a run. She was able to rebound from yesterday from making an error. She came up big today.”
Meanwhile, Lexi Meadows showed the type of determination that Furr expects from his athletes. She injured her finger early in the game, but stayed on the field with her teammates.
“You’re not going to take that kid out of the game,” Furr said of Meadows in 2022. “We asked her if she was alright and she said, ‘I’m playing.’ Her dad was down here and said let her play. After about an inning or so, you couldn’t tell. She had two hits, started some rallies and scored a run. We just have tough, gritty kids who aren’t going to let anybody beat them when it matters.”
I expect the Lady Horns to show that same grit and determination in 2024 and beyond as they play in his memory. And there’s no doubt the legacy Furr left behind will be remembered as he watches down from heaven.
