My Dad died last Saturday, and the world will never be the same.
His death was sudden, unexpected and painless for him as he'd always said it would be. He suffered a heart attack at 11 a.m. while talking on the phone with one of his granddaughters about her recent graduation from college and upcoming wedding. Mother took him to the hospital herself and he had a second, fatal heart attach at 1 p.m. The ER doctor told Mother that he'd "lived his last day on earth."
Daddy was the best man I've ever known. He was affectionate, funny, smart, compassionate, curious, faithful, understanding, modest, passionate about many things. He loved parties and dinners, shopping, computers, and music - and he had a tin ear. He was generous with his time, money and possessions. Daddy never met a stranger anywhere. He could, and did, talk to everyone and remembered what they told him. He never stopped learning, and was convinced that he could learn anything, and so could we. He loved photography and took thousands of photos of everything from sandstorms and giant hailstones to tiny flowers and big black bears. He gardened with great zeal; he was always willing to try a new technique or new plant.
He didn't always understand things we kids did, but he had raised us to make our own decisions and he supported us when we did. After I converted to Judaism he learned about the religion and its customs. When Ken and I married, Daddy explained the ceremony to Ken's parents; they are Jewish but were not familiar with the wedding customs and rituals. He loved Ken like a son, and was glad I finally married a man he respected and liked.
Daddy was a great gift giver. He really listened when people talked and often surprised us with the perfect gift, which we didn't expect from anyone. One memorable year I received my first rifle and my first dress suit and heels from him. He taught me to reupholster furniture and made the best buttonholes on my sewing machine that I've ever seen.
I am devastated, and so very glad that Ken insisted I visit at Thanksgiving alone (while he stayed home with a sick cat). It was a special time for us, and I was finally able to thank Daddy for many things he did for me while I was growing up. We shopped and ate out and talked, and he admired my knitting and itz mathematical precision. It was a very good visit.
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From the memorial service:
Delton loved Zo. Their marriage and love and care for each other were a testimony of G-d's grace. They stood by each other, devoting themselves to their family, their G-d and their friendships. They shared a love many only dream of and their legacy of love is seen on each of your faces and in our hearts.
Delton would talk to anyone and listen deeply to their life story. He was a great teacher: patient and kind with his family and friends...and his ability to teach came from an inspirational part of his heart that loved to learn and understand...as an electrical engineer he figured he could learn just about anything, and therefore do just about anything from hanging cabinets, to reupholstering furniture, to rebuilding car engines, to teaching his children how to use a sewing machine. He was generous, enjoyed helping people, was witty with a great sense of humor, and a thoughtful gift giver. He loved family vacations and made sure fishing was always part of the trip, helping and teaching his children and grandchildren how to fish. He enjoyed deer hunting, and creating a famous deer heart dish with cream of mushroom soup. Mostly, he enjoyed spending time with his family; he was passionate about time with his family and sharing in a family's love. He was affectionate. He and Zo celebrated holding hands and he gave great hugs. He was an instigator of parties and a great shopper, especially around a garage sale, and was like a kid in a toy factory when he was introduced to eBay.
Delton knew the joy and power and simplicity of being with others. Delton enjoyed being with himself, being with Zo, being with his four wonderful children, being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, being with his friends, being with the church in fellowship and worship and being with G-d. He knew, intuitively, that being with others allowed space for G-d to touch souls to each other.
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The official obituary, from the Midland Reporter-Telegram:
The Good Lord called Delton Aubrey Wilson, 82, of Midland (Texas), home on Saturday, January 9, 2010.
Delton was born on October 17, 1927 in Crosby County, Texas, to Albert and Bonnie Wilson. He graduated from McAdoo High School. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea, but returned to graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University). He was a member of honorary engineering fraternity Tau Beta Pi while at Texas Tech.
He married the love of his life, Rebecca Zoann, in 1952. They moved to Kermit to work for Schlumberger Well Services; he also worked in Southeastern New Mexico, and was in business in Tucumcari, NM, for four years. He then went back to work for Sun Oil Company and worked for 20 years as a log analyst. He and his wife lived and raised their family in several small towns in West Texas, but settled and retired in Midland in 1991. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He cherished helping his grandson complete his hunter safety course.
Delton was a faithful man of G-d, a loving husband for 57 years, a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Bonnie. Left behind to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife, Rebecca Zoann; his daughters Diann and husband Ken, Marcia; sons Del and wife Mylinda, Mark and wife Jena; grandchildren Rebecca and husband Justin, Hannah and husband Michael, Celina, Pierce and Debbie; great grandchildren Michael and Harmony; brother-in-law Derrell and wife Joyce; nieces Danita, Kimberly and Susan; and adored mother-in-law Arvetta.
Delton was also involved in many professional organizations and in his church as an elder. He was a member of SPWLA, the SPE and Toastmasters. He received the Schlumberger Wildcatter Award twice. His most treasured accomplishments were his 57 years of marriage and his family. Memorials may be made to the National Rifle Association and Boy Scouts of America.
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