Smith and Walker both said their should be more discussion from the public abut the name change because the press box was already named after two other people previously.
At a May 15, 2012 meeting, the Dayton Public Schools Board of Education voted to name the press box as the “Denney-Bayless Press Box” for former school principal, coach and athletic director Bob Denney and 1980 Belmont High School graduate and former NFL player Martin Bayless Sr.
The name was on a former press box that was torn down at Welcome Stadium and replaced with a new one in 2024. The name was not added to the outside of the new press box.
During Tuesday’s meeting held at E.J. Brown Middle School, the board honored Wick-Gagnet, who began her service on the board in 2017, for her service. Board members said Wick-Gagnet frequented the middle school and developed a connection to the school’s teachers and students.
Nevaeh Woods, the student member of the board of education and a Ponitz High School senior, said she remembered campaigning for Wick-Gagnet’s bid for Dayton city commission over the summer. Wood said she never saw Wick-Gagnet angry or upset and said her spirit was “so pure.”
Wood said it was hard to not see Wick-Gagnet at a recent student senate meeting.
“I got into (Ohio State University) and I couldn’t tell her,” Woods said. “She was like my board member grandma.”
Wick-Gagnet’s friend, Marquetta Rowan, read Wick-Gagnet’s obituary and said she always felt warmth and compassion from Wick-Gagnet. From being at Coco’s Bistro, Wick-Gagnet’s restaurant on Warren Street near Miami Valley Hospital, to Wick-Gagnet driving by her home just to see if she could stop by, Rowan said she felt loved.
“When I thought of Karen, I thought of love,” Rowan said.
She asked the audience to be kind and patient with one another in Wick-Gagnet’s memory.
Board members spoke of Wick-Gagnet at the board meeting on Dec. 9, remembering Wick-Gagnet’s service to the community and her concern for others. Some members remembered Wick-Gagnet’s kindness toward them during hard times and said she would be remembered as someone who left a mark on the community.
“She was great to work with, great to talk to,” said board vice president William Bailey. “She will be very missed.”
Services for Wick-Gagnet are set for Sunday, Dec. 21 at Omega Baptist Church. Visitation is at 3 p.m. and service is at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that for the support of a local independent restaurant this week.
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