Robert Warren DeLay

Robert W. DeLay was born in Lake City, Florida on February 18, 1936 and went home to be with his Lord and Savior in Fort Smith, Arkansas on August 17, 2018, 2018. Robert was known to his friends as “DeLay”, his grandchildren as “Bubs”, and his patients and staff as Dr. DeLay.

Robert practiced general dentistry in Fort Smith for over 50 years, most of which were at his office located at the corner of Park and Greenwood Avenues. He later joined Dr. Kendall Roberts at New Health Dental Clinic where he practiced for nearly 10 years, and finished his career with Dr. Stan Udouj at River Valley Dentistry. After retirement, he worked at the UAFS School of Dental Hygiene as an instructor.

Robert graduated from high school in 1954 from the Tennessee Military Institute in Sweetwater, Tennessee. He then went on to attend Baylor University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in 1957, and in 1961 graduated from the Baylor School of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. He completed a one year internship at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City before going into private practice.

It was while attending Baylor Dental School that he met his wife of 59 years, Ann Rodgers, who was attending Baylor Dental Hygiene School. They married in Central Presbyterian Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas on December 12, 1959, and had three children, Zem, Gunner, and Woody.

Bob was an active deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church for many years, having taught grades in the youth department, as well as young married couples. He was a member of First Baptist Church for over 50 years.

He loved working in the yard, and enjoyed hobbies such as wood carving and fishing at different points in his life. He took great pride in being a painless dentist that provided excellent dental care to his patients at prices they could afford. He loved entertaining his family, friends, and patients with funny stories about his life.

He was preceded in death by parents, Zelma and William D. DeLay; his brothers, Lawrence and John DeLay; and a son, Woody Warren DeLay. He is survived by his wife, Ann Rodgers DeLay; two children - daughter, Zem L. Hawley and her husband Mitch; and son, R. Gunner DeLay and his wife Robin. He was the proud grandparent of six grandchildren - Taylor DeLay, Gunner DeLay, Jr. and his wife Britta, Caroline DeLay, Suzanna DeLay, Stephen Hudgins and his wife Heather, and Lauren Seuser and her husband Marc; as well as two great-grandchildren – Ryan Hudgins, and Abby Hudgins, with two more on the way.

Memorial service will be Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the First Baptist Church of Fort Smith. Burial will be prior to the service in Forest Park Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers are J.D. Sagely, Don Castling, Don Griffin, Mont Sagely, John Clayton, Gordon Castling, Stan Biggs, Cameron Clement, Dr. Neill Treece, Dr. Larry Dormois, Dr. Jim Ellis, and Jim Harwood.

The family will greet friends in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church following the memorial service.

Dr. DeLay may be viewed from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM at Edwards Funeral Home, Sunday through Tuesday.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Hospice Unit at Mercy Hospital for their excellent care.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Fott Smith, c/o Foreign Mission Offering.

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com