Delbert Hupp

1931 - 2012

Delbert Theron Hupp

September 27, 1931 - June 8, 2012

SILVERTON - Longtime Silverton resident Delbert Theron Hupp passed away at his home on June 8, 2012. He was 80 years old. Delbert was born on September 27, 1931, in Salem, Oregon, to Leona and Claude Hupp. He was the oldest of five children and grew up in St. Louis, just west of Gervais. He graduated from Gervais High School in 1950.

Growing up, Delbert would spend his summers working on his aunt Dorothy and uncle Clarence Koehler's farm. In the summer of 1953, he met the love of his life Barbara Maxine Reinhart and they married a year later on July 10, 1954. Together they had four children and enjoyed 58 happy years of marriage and farming together.

In January of 1954 he bought his first farm on 27 acres in the Silverton Hills at Drakes Crossing. He and Barbara began farming with strawberries, then raised grass seed and in 1967 started their bareroot seedling nursery and Christmas tree farm, Drakes Crossing Nursery. In addition to farming, Delbert logged for 10 years and worked at Peerless Truck and Trailer for five years. While busy launching their farm, working other jobs and raising their children, Delbert would often say, "Someday this old farm is gonna blossom." Over the years, Drakes Crossing Nursery did blossom and continues to be a family farm today. To his death, Delbert loved spending time out on the farm.

In his free time, he loved hunting and fishing, playing pinochle and solitaire, spending time with his grandkids, vacationing in Hawaii, collecting musical clocks, and enjoying dinners out with family and friends.

For years, Delbert was a active member of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association and the Oregon Association of Nurseries. He was a founding member of Drakes Crossing Fire Department and sat on the board for a number of years.

Delbert is survived by his wife, Barbara Hupp; his daughter Kathy LeCompte, and her husband Dave, of Brooks; his daughter Karen Hupp, and Dusty, of Salem; his son Jan Hupp, and his wife Cindy, of Silverton; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is preceeded in death by his son Don Hupp.

Delbert spent the last two weeks of his life surrounded by his many family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Silverton Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 18, at 4 p.m. at The Oregon Garden Pavilion in Silverton.