Donald Dellapenta

Donald Eugene Dellapenta (62) of West Siloam Springs, OK unexpectedly went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 29, 2019. Born on January 20,1957 to Saralee Barlow Dellapenta and Joseph Vincent Dellapenta Sr., he was the 3rd of their 4 children. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brother and sister in law Joey Jr. and Belen Dellapenta, and brother in law Stephen Barnes. Donald (aka granddaddy) leaves behind his beloved wife of 35 years Martha Louise Dellapenta, their son Alex Dellapenta (and his wife Jessica), daughter Darla (and her husband Brian Trowbridge), youngest daughter Anna Dellapenta, stepdaughter Tanya (and her husband Nestor Agbayani), stepson Emil Sempf, grandchildren (Nathaniel, Rosie, Emily, Leo, Alfred, and Victor), sister Claudia Dellapenta Melgaard (and her husband Bill), and brother Jerry Dellapenta (and his wife Yvonne). He also leaves behind his beloved nieces and nephews: Vincent/Tina, Jeff/Heather, Becky/Tom, Sarah, and 6 nieces and nephews on Martha’s side, and their children as well. Those who loved Don would describe him as a saint. Even those with the most passing of interactions often came away commenting what a sweet and cheerful man he was. His #1 goal in life was to love and serve the Lord, and he did so in every aspect of his life; mainly in how he treated his best friend and wife, Martha. He could fix just about anything and was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone with no complaints and a true servant’s heart. He was skilled on many stringed instruments, and his contributions making a joyful noise to the Lord both at home and in church were a blessing to his family and fellow believers. He enjoyed gardening with Martha, riding his bike for hours, and loved to read his Bible every day. He did not particularly care for television, but when he did watch, it would be an old John Wayne or Humphrey Bogart movie, like The African Queen, or in years past a PBS program (made possible by Viewers Like You). He was patient, forgiving, humble, wise, funny, loving, and the best man his family has ever known. Don’s devoted wife Martha said, “I would have to say, our relationship was truly a great love story, at least to me, like Ruth and Boaz. He took me under his wing and protected and cared for me, making it very easy to honor and love him back.” She will always be grateful to God that she was able to be by Don’s side all of these years. All those who saw their love knew that they were truly a match made in Heaven. He set a great example on how you should love, honor, and cherish the people you have in your life, especially your spouse and children. His son Alex will be forever thankful to Don for the fatherly love that was poured unendingly, for setting the standard as Alex grows into how best to love and serve his own wife Jessica and infant son Leo, and for putting the Lord first in all things and encouraging Alex to seek Him in everything. Alex will always remember his father’s welcoming and peaceful disposition, insatiable exploration of music, and for the many trips Don took to help during various projects when they got their new home in North Carolina. He will never forget a musing his father shared once, about what the music in Heaven might sound like. Don pondered that we on Earth in our meager faculties have stumbled into the known sets of noises and genres, but that that must pale in comparison to the awesome and truly overwhelming soundscapes and shouts of praise from the Angels, worshipping the Lord every day. It comforts and delights Alex to know his father wonders no more, and shares in the great celebration forever and ever. His daughter Darla will never forget one of the last things he said to her a couple weeks before his passing. He told her, “Always teach your children about the Lord and how to have an intimate relationship with Jesus, because that is the only thing that actually matters.” He helped her through many various trials and tribulations, never giving anything but words spoken in truth and love, sound wisdom, and hope for the future. She will always cherish the times she heard him play the violin or guitar, him driving her to middle school and getting her a biscuit before class, and the belly laughs they shared with tears in his eyes. She hopes to live out the rest of her life in a way that will make him proud, and looks forward to seeing him again one day in Heaven. Brian, her husband, said “He was an awesome, amazing man of God, and I will cherish every word he shared with me. I only wish I would have taken every opportunity to get to know him better.” His daughter Anna Dellapenta had these kind thoughts to share about her father: “Dad and I loved being outside with one another tinkering with his creative, super useful projects or sitting in the work shed together looking through his music on rainy days. Whenever we could, we’d take scenic bike rides around North Carolina, always having the best times. Reminiscing never got old to us, be it talking about kayaking the Dan River and getting rained on (couldn’t have been a more perfect memory), or hiking Stone Mountain in N.C. on Father’s Day and being in the moment… knowing we both were truly enjoying our time. Looking back you always want to kick yourself for not doing more with someone you love, but Daddy D always knew how to slow each second down to make the simplest moment beyond meaningful and special. I am so glad that at the end of his life he finally found a job he could walk to and enjoyed, which was always a dream of his. So even though I’m one of those people who have a lot regrets and things I wish I could go back and change, I am forever grateful that he was my father and for the times we spent with one another. I’ll always be able to remember him as literally the best man I will ever know. He showed and taught me how to be gentle, humble, loving and kind. And I’m not just talking good about him behind his back, he truly was all those things and more, and I hope to share that joy with others. Dad, you will always be The Strongest Man in the World to me, and thank you for loving your family with all that strength. I miss you dearly. Love GooGie.” His grandson Nathaniel Dellapenta wanted to say this: “I admire how selfless he was. If I would try to explain him in detail, I would have a 5 book series. Grandaddy was an amazing guy, and everyone will agree that he was a lovable man.” He will never forget their special bike rides, camping adventures, and fishing trips together. In closing, the ones who loved Don and anyone who has lost a loved one must hold fast to Romans 8:18. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Donald Eugene Dellapenta would want everyone to run the race God has set before them, finish strong, and to one day be able to hear the words: “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” In lieu of flowers, the family simply asks you to turn off your tv, open your Bible, seek Him with your whole heart, and be kind to one another in Don’s memory. A private memorial will be held in Colorado.

Tributes

Donald Dellapenta

January 20, 1957 - July 29, 2019