Chris Andrew Delay

1965 - 2023

Chris Andrew Delay, also known by many as "Scoot," went into God's welcoming arms on Nov. 11, 2023, one day before his 58th birthday. Chris was born on Nov. 12, 1965, to Carol and Forrest Delay at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. Chris is survived by his loving wife, Kim Albright Delay, an accountant in Bullhead City, Arizona, where he and Kim made their home. He is further survived by his mother, Carol Delay, retired facilities maintenance employee at MCAGCC and resident of Twentynine Palms, now in Chino Valley, Arizona, his younger sister, Alma E. Dale, and his maternal aunt, Sarah Wertz, both of Prescott, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his father, Forrest D. Delay, retired from the USMC and Litton Industries and owner of Frosti Auto Parts in Twentynine Palms.
In addition to his immediate family, there are multiple Delay, Wertz and Crites aunts, uncles and cousins across multiple parts of the Midwest, many of whom Chris had the opportunity to meet with and visit. He also had numerous friends that he considered part of his extended family who were as close as brothers and sisters to him. They will miss him.
Chris and his wife, Kim, each enjoyed riding motorcycles before they ever met. Then, he took a job at South Coast Harley where Kim was employed. He met and married her after working together for two years at Southeast Harley in Chula Vista. They even had their marriage ceremony in this Harley shop! They spent the next 25 years together in a happy relationship such that they decided to have a re-commitment service of their marriage, which they called "We Still Do!" They invited friends and family to share their joy.
Forrest Delay, Chris' father, was very active in the Free Masons and Shriners International, serving in every position up to and including Master of the Lodge. Through that relationship, Chris became involved with the organizations and followed in his father's footsteps, making them important services to include in his life. He began his journey in Twentynine Palms and continued his work in Bullhead City, Arizona. Chris held over 20 positions at different periods in his service and, in his final years, was sergeant of arms and was often asked to serve at chaplain of the Free Masons Riding Club. He was proud of his membership with these organizations and the services they provided.
Chris had a long and varied work history. For a period he drove as a long-haul trucker, an arduous position as those who drive these roads will attest. He also worked for a time as a bar-back and bartender at the Golden Nugget Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. As a member of the Mohave Road Crew and the Bullhead City Road Crew, Chris operated many types of heavy equipment. He often trained those new to the job or even long-time drivers on various equipment as they took on new positions or tried to master difficult maneuvers with the heavy equipment. He also enjoyed playing with a band in Bullhead, with Chris as the lead singer and Kim playing the bass. In addition, he enjoyed reading and watching old movies, especially those with John Wayne. He loved traveling off-road, freewheeling through the desert to hunt for the unusual and the unseen, always searching for visual and physical treasures.
"You will be missed, dead friend, son and brother."
A memorial service will be held for Chris Delay at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 2024, at the Masonic Lodge, 2580 Miracle Mile, Bullhead City, Arizona, just across the river from Laughlin, Nevada. Please RSVP by text to (928) 925-5841.