Delbert McElyea

Delbert Wayne McElyea, known by most as "Del", of Spring Texas, went home to see the Lord on March 10th 2014. Del was a lifelong Texan, born in Iowa Park, Texas. He moved to Houston at the age of 13. He would have turned 80 years old on March 15, 2014. Del met his lifelong love of 58 years, Joyce Jo Ann Austin, in Chicago, IL in 1955. They married in 1956 and had 4 children. Del was preceded in death by his parents Olin and Jimmy Alice McElyea; brother Randal McElyea and sister Wilma Rosser.
Del is survived by his loving wife Joyce, 4 children - daughter Debbie Minter and sons Kevin, Greg and Steven, 10 grand children - Michelle Cheatham, Tara Porfirio, Lauren McElyea, Justin Minter, Jeremy McElyea, Ryan Minter, Chase McElyea, Julia McElyea, Brianna McElyea & Joshua McElyea, 5 Great Grand Children - Dysen Meador, Brayden and Austin Cheatham, Madeline Porfirio and Zaiden McElyea. He is survived by sisters Daisy Nimmo and Omeda Ekern, and brother Merlin McElyea. Del joined Transcontinental Gas Pipeline (Transco Energy) as a Tabulating Machine Operator in 1953 at the age of 18. Following that, he volunteered for the draft and proudly served his country in the United States Army, during the Korean War, from 1954 - 1962. After marrying and completing his active service in the military, Del returned to Transco and attended the University of Houston. Ultimately, Del was promoted to Director of Information Services at Transco in 1981 and retired, after 39 years of service, in 1992. This is when Del and Joyce hit the road. They enjoyed traveling the world and spending time with family.
A Celebration of Life for Del will be held on March 22nd at 2 PM in the main sanctuary of Spring Baptist Church in Spring, TX. Del's immediate family would be pleased to have you join us in this celebration and invite any in attendance to offer us some "words of remembrance". In lieu of floral tributes, the family asks that you consider memorial contributions in Del's name to: Ainsley's Angels www.ainsleysangels.org, Spring Baptist Building Fund, Wounded Warrior Project -www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate, St. Jude's Children's Hospital