David Lindsay DeLong was born December 24, 1941 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to Kenneth John DeLong and Evelyn Lindsay DeLong. He was an only child, spoiled and much loved by his Nana Beatrice and Aunt Ena. While Grandpa Ken was fighting in WWII, Grandma Evelyn, Nana and Aunt Ena packed up and moved the family to Burlingame, California. Ken, Evelyn and David eventually moved to Visalia in 1949.
David attended Sierra Vista Middle School and later graduated from Redwood High School in 1959. He served as an acolyte at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where his family were active members. He loved sports. As a young child the Visalia Country Club was his backyard. He caddied for women’s club champion Mrs. Bradley, the wife of Judge Bradley, and Mr. Sibley. However, his first love was baseball. At the age of 15, David experienced pain in his swing, an early sign of his genetic arthritic condition ankylosing spondylitis. He switched to golf which allowed him to swing in a different way without pain.
He played basketball and earned a scholarship to UCLA where he played for a year on the freshman team under John Wooden. He returned to Visalia for his second year and graduated from College of the Sequoias. During that time he was set up on a blind date on Valentine’s Day with a young Italian girl named Dolores Luisi. They dated for several years, marrying at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on October 4, 1964.
After graduating from COS, David attended University of the Pacific where he graduated in 1963. He was drafted for service in Vietnam and served as a LT JG in the Navy on the USS Bexar. He later obtained his MBA from Fresno State.
David and Dolores returned to Visalia where they raised two children, Debbie and John. David’s golf career was not over though. He won the Sierra View Golf Course Club Championship in 1971. As a minor celebrity, he was selected to hit the opening tee shot for the new golf course, Plaza Park, known today as Valley Oaks.
Most of his career was in education. He saw himself as an administrator, trusting that his teachers knew what they needed and supported them in doing their jobs. He was the principal/superintendent of Liberty Elementary School for many years. He later worked in Modesto as principal/superintendent of Shiloh School District. He retired in 2006 and moved back to Visalia full-time to enjoy retirement.
David obtained his doctorate in education and used his years of experience to mentor interns and student teachers. It was important to him to stay productive and give back to the community. He worked part-time for Brandman University and continued through the changes to U Mass Global.
He was active in several local veterans’ organizations – Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Avenue of the Flags and a monthly breakfast group. David was a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church.
He golfed regularly at the Visalia Country Club. He especially loved playing in the Traveling Seniors and the mixed ladies’ tournaments. At the age of 80 he made his first hole in one. He shot his age and better on several occasions.
David is survived by his daughter Debbie, son John (Sue), brother-in-law and sister-in-law Steve and Sharon Luisi, niece Lisa (Mike) Cavanagh, and great-niece Jenna Cavanagh. He is predeceased by his wife Dolores, parents Ken and Evelyn, aunts Ena Lindsay, Alma (Morris) Pratt, uncle Frederick Lindsay Jr., and nephew Nicholas Luisi.
There are many more stories that could be told. Dad said he lived a full life, and he was ready to go.
Services will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 8:00 am at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 West Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA. Graveside services at Visalia Cemetery immediately to follow.
Donations may be sent to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 2918 W. Main St., Visalia, CA 93291, or a veterans’ organization of one’s choice.
For the golfers out there, Dad leaves one final piece of advice, “Keep it in the short grass.”
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Delong family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5