Delbert Moses Smith

Delbert M. Smith

A celebration of life for Delbert M. Smith, 76, will be held at 2 p.m. on June 14 at the First Baptist Church in Lusk, with Pastor Tom Strock officiating. Internment will be in the Lusk cemetery with military honors and Elks Lodge graveside rites

Delbert Moses Smith, a long time resident of Wyoming died June 10 at Niobrara Health and Life Center in Lusk after a short courageous battle with cancer. He was born Oct. 5, 1928 to Marcus Albert Moses and Violet Mae (Hurt) Smith in Newcastle.

He was educated in Lusk (Niobrara County) schools where he was an outstanding athlete. After graduation from high school, he volunteered as coach for the junior high basketball team.

He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War as a sergeant in a construction engineer battalion. Upon discharge, he enrolled in Chadron State College and graduated with degrees in mathematics and economics in 1958. At that time he became employed by the Niobrara County High School as a science and mathematics teacher, assistant football and basketball coach, as well as faculty sponsor of the Student Council. He later became the guidance counselor for the Junior High and High School after receiving a Master's degree in counseling. He was a Boy Scout master, an active member of the Cosmopolitan Club and a member of the Silver Haired Legislature.

In 1967 he moved to Morrill, Neb., to become the school guidance director. The following year, he was appointed Director of Financial Aid and Scholarship at Chadron State College. In 1969 Delbert assumed the position of Dean of Students and Director of Financial Aid at Nebraska Western College in Scottsbluff, Neb. In 1979 he accepted the position of Director of Financial Aid and Scholarship at the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he worked until his retirement in 1990.

After retirement he became an instructor of AARP's 55-Alive driving program for Senior Citizens in Laramie. Following his wife's retirement in 1999 the couple returned to Lusk. There he continued his affiliation with the 55-Alive program and also became the President of the local AARP group.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. He was a 50-year member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and was a past Exalted Ruler. He also served as Moderator of the Board of the First Baptist Church in Lusk.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; five children, Robert, Randi Ross, Rhonda Butler, Roxi Knopp, Cindy Mainil and their respective spouses; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, and five brothers.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, George.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the First Baptist Church, the Niobrara County Senior Center or Niobrara Health and Life Center.

Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records