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Darrell DELAVAN Obituary


DELAVAN, Darrell 'Burt'
1929 - 2013

Burt passed away August 15, 2013 at age 83 in his home with loved ones. He fought a courageous battle with leukemia. He was born on December 2, 1929 in Westwood, CA to his parents Frank and Edith Delavan.
He attended Sacramento High School and finished his education at College of the Pacific (Now known as the Univ. of Pacific). Burt was drafted into the NFL in 1952 by the L.A. Rams, played on the Army's Fort Ord championship football teams, and then played for the Chicago Cardinals 1955-56. He was coach and teacher at Hiram Johnson H.S. for 30 yrs.
Coach Delavan's football teams praised him to be 'A coach who believed in integrity first and victory second.'
Burt's passions included woodworking, fishing, bowling, travel, and family vacations.
Burt will be remembered by his loving wife, Janet and their three children, Brenda (John), Barry (Rochelle), Beryl (Carlos); 8 grandchildren & 11 great grandchildren. He was survived by his sister Barbara (Bill). He was preceded in death by his brother Frank Delavan.
A special thank you to his doctors and the Sutter VNA Hospice Program for their kind and compassionate care. A family gathering & celebration of life will be held at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Aug. 25, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
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Todd LaCasse

October 25, 2013

A great teacher, great coach, but most of all a great person. Had him for PE for several years; he could make anyone laugh and he made coming to school enjoyable. RIP Coach, Class of '75.

September 3, 2013

It is a sad day on earth when I heard of the passing of Coach Delavan. On the other hand it is a good day for Heaven, when they get a great of a Soul as the Coach's.
He was a good man and a inspirational football and basketball coach to me and my teammates. He will be missed.
May God bless the Family and inspire the wonderful memories of this truly good man. Travis McCord Class of 73

MICHAEL TOWNES SR.

August 27, 2013

To the family of "Coach Delavan," please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss;our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time...I attended Hiram Johnson HS (1973-1976)and was a student in the Coach PE classes during that time. I also had the opportunity to be mentored by Coach while participating on the football teams. I recalled him being a "straight forward and firm" individual with a calm demeanor. God Bless You All...Michael Townes and Family....

August 27, 2013

Barbara and family, may thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember "Coach Delavan" at Johnson, he was like by all that knew him. What a loss.

Kathy Scheidegger

August 27, 2013

To family of (coach) Delavan. I was shocked to receive the news of his passing. I was actually thinking of him earlier this summer. He was a great coach and a GOOD man. So sorry for your loss. Clinton (BUDDY) Gray Class of 1964.

Marie Stevens

August 27, 2013

My prayers and thoughts are with your family. May the Lord wrap His loving arms around you all!! :)

August 26, 2013

He was a great man! I wish I could have got to known him more. I met him probably 6 or so years ago. I married his granddaughter Sarah and we went out to visit them a couple times. The stories he shared and the wisdom he gave I will never forget. He enjoyed showing me his woodworking shop because he new that was a passion we both shared. He made a lot of beautiful works of art. His assortment of tools was out of this world. I would have loved to build some stuff with him. Grandpa you will be missed! My fondest memory will be when Grandma would make her awesome cookies and Grandpa always brought the container of cookies my way and then he would take some even though he knew they were bad for him. He didn't care. He did it over and over and over again until the cookies were gone. Both times we visited them there were always cookies for him and I to snatch up and eat. It was awesome! The memories were great, the times we visited were awesome. You will be missed grandpa! Love ya!

August 26, 2013

TO THE FAMILY OF"COACH DELAVAN" I SEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF"COACH".I PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR "COACH" AT JOHNSON "1979-1981" AND WAS A "TA" FOR HIM DURING THESES TIMES.IT WAS A HONOR TO HAVE "COACH" BE A PART OF MY LIFE THESE YEARS WHILE I WAS AT JOHNSON!WHEN I WAS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER AT UCD I ASK "COACH" TO COME TO ONE OF MY GAMES, I LEFT HIM TICKETS FOR THE GAME AT "WILL CALL",AT THE TIME I DID NOT KNOW IF HE WOULD BE ABLE TO COME TO THE GAME. AFTER THE GAME A FRIEND OF MINES CAN TO ME AND GAVE ME A NOTE.IF WAS FROM "COACH", SAYING HOW MUCH HE ENJOYED WATCHING ME PLAY AND OTHER KIND WORDS! TO THIS DAY I STILL HAVE THAT NOTE!"COACH" WAS A "GOOD MAN"! DEWAYNE TOWNES "CLASS OF 1981"

August 26, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

john Crowell

August 25, 2013

I attended Hiram Johnson 59-62. Burt Delavan was seemingly every boys P.E. coach. I can't fathom anyone from that era not having fond memories.

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