He graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science and worked as a funeral director at Flanner Buchanan Mortuary for several years before becoming a pharmaceutical representative for Roerig Pfizer for nearly 16 years.During that time he was an active member and lay leader at Calvary Tabernacle Church in Indianapolis and was the spokesman and bass singer for the Calvary Four, a popular Southern Gospel quartet. At nearly 40 years of age, he felt called to vocational ministry and after several years of preparation began approximately 11 years of traveling across the United States preaching in hundreds of churches as an itinerate evangelist. In 1989, he became the Senior Pastor of Christian Life Center in Parkersburg, West Virginia where he served for 22 years. During this season he was fully engaged in the life of his community, including as a member of the Parkersburg Rotary Club and being elected it’s president. He also played a key role as one of the overseers of The Life Christian Church in West Orange New Jersey, serving as a presbyter for many years. He then retired to Columbus, Ohio in 2011 and as his health declined his family relocated him to the Kansas City area in December 2020 to be cared for by his daughter.
He married the love of his life, Glenda Jean Smith, in 1960. As she often says “we had a wonderful life together.” Delton was famous for his infectious faith and joyful optimism. He was outrageously funny and loved to laugh and bring laughter to others. He was a devoted follower of Jesus, a beloved pastor and preacher, and a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife Glenda Jean, son Terry (Sharon), daughter Tonja (Greg), and grandchildren Sumerr, Caleb (Lindsay), Chelsea, Chloe ( Sean), Christian (Amanda), Colton (Ashlynn), Cara and siblings Don and Debbie.
The family will be holding a private memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for a Pastor Delton G. Smith Memorial Stone in the Cross Sculpture Memorial Gardens at The Life Christian Church. Donations can be sent to TLCC.org/pastordelton or to The Life Christian Church, 747 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ, 07052.
Condolences may also be sent to Tonja Gibbs, 4731 Roundtree Court, Shawnee KS, 66226 or Terry A. Smith, 66 Tulip Avenue, West Orange, NJ, 07052
DONS
Pastor Delton G. Smith Memorial Stone in the Cross Sculpture Memorial Gardens at The Life Christian Church 747 Northfield Avenue , West Orange, NJ 07052
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