Norman Lee Delabarre

Our Dad, Norman Lee Delabarre, beloved husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa passed away in his sleep following a brief illness on May 6, 2014. Dad was born January 6, 1925 in Odessa, WA to the Rev. A. C. Delabarre and Martha Klein Delabarre. The family moved to Dryden and then to Colorado, returning to Wenatchee in 1937 where Dad attended HB Ellison Jr. High school and Wenatchee High School. The family, which also included dad's brother, Maurice, moved back to Odessa after the war stated in 1942 to help out a family of farmers. Dad drove tractor for summer fallow, seeding and weeding. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1943. At age 18, Dad registered for the draft in 1944 and qualified for the Air Corp. He was sent to Utah where he was sworn into the Army and then to Amarillo, Texas for basic training. While on furlough in 1944, Dad married the love of his life, Rose Marie Eikenberry. They married on November 7, 1944 on Election Day. Dad's father tied the knot at the Brethren Baptist Church. Mom and Dad met at church when they were in junior high school. Mom said soon after meeting him that she was "going to marry that boy someday." They spent 69 years together. During that time they had three beautiful children; Lova in 1949, Randy in 1953, and Judi in 1960. From November 1944, Dad was in Merced, California; San Antonio, Texas and Montgomery, Alabama. Mom and Dad were in Montgomery when the war ended. Dad's interest in planes sent him to Kessler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi, then to Madison, Wisconsin. His group was going to be sent to Japan to help deploy troops, but instead he was discharged in December 1945. After returning home, Dad worked for Fruit Growers Service Warehouse in Wenatchee and then in 1946 he started working at the City Water Department. In September 1947, Dad decided to go to Pullman on the GI Bill; but he had trouble living on $90 a month and was not that impressed with college. The place was overrun with ex-service men and the classes were too crowed so they returned to Wenatchee where he was able to go back to work for the City Water Department. During the flood of 1948, they worked long hours and days at a time providing emergency water. He didn't know at the time that the City was going to be his whole life's work. He started out installing water services by digging ditches by hand and then running a back hoe for water main installations. He prided himself in knowing that he had a hand in anything the water-sewer department did. He also managed to find his way around all the other departments. He did his share of street cleaning and snow plowing for instance. By 1953, he was a sub foreman. In the 1960's he became working foreman for the City Water Department and later was named Superintendent. In April of 1970, he was appointed assistant city engineer by Chet Murray who was director of public works. When Mr. Murray moved to City Hall, it was decided that they needed an actual engineer on staff and Dad was named Public Works Director. He retired in 1986 with that title after 39 ½ years with the City of Wenatchee. According to former Mayor of Wenatchee, Jim Lynch, Dad was "a very self-effacing guy, a man of few words". He was totally job-oriented-Mr. Public Works. He knew every nook and cranny, from the water superintendent's job to where they kept the extra maps". According to assistant public works director Lyle Bland, he was "an extremely devoted, hard working administrator who didn't seek a lot of notoriety for his accomplishments." After retirement, Dad kept busy working in his "shop" in the basement on Lowe St. He became a great wood worker & Craftsman, creating Nativity sets, TV trays and fireplace mantels. He also made playhouses, desks and numerous pieces that he would give to close friends and family at Christmas time. If someone needed something built or repaired, they would call Dad. This also included the Brethren Church where Dad donated many hours of service. He also was instrumental in the building of the Mustard Seed day care center. Dad also sang in the church choir, and took great pride in donating many gallons of blood to the Red Cross over the years. Norman Delabarre is survived by his wife Rose; daughter Lova Irwin (Carl); son Randy Delabarre (Joye); and daughter Judi Delabarre; grand children, Courtney Gates (Dan), Whitney Irwin, Christin Busk(Todd), Patty Schott (Kelly); great grandchildren Andres Ibarra, Ella Gates, Gwen Gates, Chyanne Schott & Kacee Schott. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 3:00pm at the Brethren Baptist Church on Okanogan & Peachy. A dessert reception will be held at the church immediately following the service. There will be time allowed during the service for anyone wishing to speak of special memories of Norm. Arrangements are provided by Heritage Memorial Chapel in East Wenatchee, WA. Please visit their website at: www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com to view Norm's guest book and to leave memories and comments if so desired.

Norman Lee Delabarre

January 6, 1925 - May 6, 2014