Sparta, Oregon
Delbert Ray Smith, 56, a lifetime Sparta resident, died at his home Dec. 6, 2004.
There will be a celebration of his life at 1 p.m. Friday at the Richland Christian Church. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception afterward at the Richland Christian Church.
Delbert was born on April 5, 1948, at Baker City to Earl Albert Sr. and Elta Louise Burchell Smith. He was actually in Baker City just long enough to be born, then immediately taken home to Sparta. He was raised at what is termed the “rock house.”
Delbert went to school in Sparta until the fifth grade. It was then that he went to the Richland Elementary School. He graduated from Richland High School.
His first marriage was to Marilyn in 1970. They had two children together, Jimmy and Malaina. In 1995 Delbert married Jacqueline Marshall at the ranch in Sparta.
Delbert always felt that there was no place like home. His family on occasion convinced him to take small vacations, but that was the extent of his travel.
His life’s work was as a logger and cattle rancher. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Delbert was best known for his practical jokes and his infectious laugh.
Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline; daughter, Malaina Smith of Ontario; son, Jimmy, and his wife, Heather, of Wellington, Utah; stepchildren, Dale Corcoran, Lisa and her husband, Mark Cottrell, Peggy Corcoran, Brian and his wife, Cindy Marshall; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bill and Wanda Holcomb; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Margaret Holaday; grandchildren, Christian, Caitlin, Colton, Zack, Harley, Amberlee, Katie and Jazmin; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jonn and Elmyra Mitchell; and numerous nieces, nephews and more friends and acquaintances than the family ever imagined.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Earl, who died in 1993.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Keating Quick Response Unit through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 532, Halfway, OR 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 10, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor