Riding for Denny: A Heartfelt Tribute in Lexington

Lexington, Kentucky, recently turned into a hub of love and solidarity as a group of passionate bikers gathered together to show their support for one of their own. The event, titled **_‘Ride Your Motorcycles for Denny’_**, was organized to honor Denny Otis, an 81-year-old man battling severe dementia. This touching tribute took place at a Harley Davidson dealership and truly showcased the strong community spirit in Lexington.

Denny’s family, particularly his sister Tina Portwood, has been a rock for him over the years. The Otis family is a big one, with Tina being one of 13 siblings. Despite their large size, they’ve always remained close-knit. Tina mentioned, “We’re always together… even after our mom passed away, we still make an effort to see one another or call one another.” Her bond with Denny grew even stronger after their mother’s passing, sharing dinners and adventures together, traveling to places like Florida and New York, and even enjoying leisure activities like running.

Describing Denny, Joseph Otis—the younger brother—said, “He was a real calm, gentle person. You know, everybody liked him.” Denny led a full life; he served in the Vietnam War, raised a son now living in Maine, and worked at Keeneland managing horses. He even played a role in putting up guide signs on highways. His rich history reveals a man who genuinely made an impact in the lives of those around him.

However, the past decade has posed a severe challenge for the Otis family. As Tina took on the role of caretaker for Denny, she also managed the care of her son, who has been in a coma for 12 years following a brain injury. She reminisced about the first signs of Denny’s dementia, recalling how he would repeat himself and get confused about his surroundings. It was a heartbreaking transition from the vibrant man he once was to someone who was slowly losing pieces of himself. Joseph expressed the pain of seeing his brother change, saying, “He’s lost a lot of his personality and things that he really could do. But I mean he’s still a real gentle person.”

Recently, the family received devastating news from the doctors regarding Denny’s condition—he doesn’t have much time left. Faced with this reality, Tina and the family acted quickly to organize the motorcycle rally that would honor Denny in a way he would love. With barely any time to prepare, they managed to pull together a remarkable event encouraging friends and fellow bikers to come together for this heartfelt cause.

On the day of the ride, dozens of bikers gathered at Harley Davidson on Man-O-War in Lexington. They revved their engines and rode in unison to Tina’s home, where Denny awaited them. A lovely touch was that Denny owned a 1973 Harley motorcycle that he had treasured for years. It gleamed like new, parked outside as the procession of fellow bikers surrounded him in support. “That’s one thing he remembers. He’ll say, ‘do I have a Harley?’ and I’ll say ‘yeah but it’s not running right now,’” Tina recounted with a smile.

The atmosphere was filled with both joy and bittersweet emotions as Denny witnessed this flood of support from the biking community. Despite the truth of his worsening health, moments like these are invaluable to him and his family. Tina shared a significant and heavy conversation she had with Denny, saying, “I told him, I said ‘you know you’re pretty bad off and stuff.’ and he said ‘yeah’ and I said, ‘what do you want me to do?’ and he said ‘I’m ready to go.’” Her heart-wrenching reply was, “I’m not ready for him to go. I’m just not ready. He’s my big brother, I love him to death.”

Despite the tough situation, the family’s love and support for Denny remain unwavering. They continue to stand by him, reminding him of the shared memories and the joy he has brought into their lives. The **_‘Ride Your Motorcycles for Denny’_** is not just an event but a testament to the unbreakable bonds of family and the stunning way communities come together to support one another during tough times. The event may serve as a final farewell, but for Denny and the Otis family, it also symbolizes the strength of love and unity as they navigate this challenging chapter of life.

The community’s show of support is a reminder that no one has to face their battles alone. As the bikers gathered and shared stories around Denny, it became clear that even in his toughest days, he is far from forgotten. The love and camaraderie displayed that day will remain in the hearts of many, proving that motorcycle culture is not just about engines and speed, but about the deep connections made between friends and family.