Remembering Delbert

My son, J-bird, was born December 27, 2007. It was the scariest most joyful experience of my life. When I reminisce about that day, my thoughts inevitable turn to Brother Delbert. He passed away from this life shortly before J-bird was born, and his funeral service was on the Sunday we came home from the hospital.

I only knew Delbert for a few years. He was a warm and charming man, and he always had a certain wit about him. Every Sunday he would greet me at the door of the church with a kind smile and a firm handshake. He would often ask me to help him collect the offering. During the time that I was the assistant teacher of the high school Sunday school class, we had an assignment to interview one of the elder members of the church. I was (providentially) assigned Delbert. I truly enjoyed learning about him and his fascinating life. He was born in 1919 grew up in Palacios, Texas. He was from a large family and his nickname was “bunny”. During WWII he served in the US Air Force. He had the arduous task of searching for and removing, by hand, German land mines. (Read more about his wartime experiences here.)

What I remember most about Bro. Delbert is the time I visited him in the hospital. He and his wife were there, and they were both in good spirits. We made small talk, and he asked about the goings on at church (he had missed several Sundays). I listened as he recalled memories and anecdotes from his past. When it was time for me to leave, I asked if I could pray for him. He refused. Instead, he prayed for me. So there in the hospital bed, Bro. Delbert passionately prayed for me and my wife. His Christ-like love and sincerity moved me to tears, as it still does now. I will always remember day.

In his memory, and for His glory,

DJ