Birth date: Aug 26, 1931 Death date: Mar 13, 2019
Thomas (Tom) Dellinger, 87, of Huntersville, NC died March 13, 2019 at Olde Knox Commons Nursing and Rehab Center. He was born on August 26, 1931 in Cherryville, NC to the late Percy and Reva Dellinger. He served in the US Army f Read Obituary
He was the best dad anyone could ask for, we would sit out on the porch and drink coffee and share stories.
When I was younger I was a troubled teen and he would always come and calmly talk to me about what was happening.
He warned me that one day he wouldn't be here anymore, but I never believed my hero could fall. My heart still breaks everyday for the only man who understood me and Loved me no matter what.
I love you Diddy.
Amanda I am so sorry I have you and your family in my thoughts and prayers I am so sorry xoxo...
Kim, Amanda and Pam,
Although I was technically a relative of your dad through marriage, I always considered him a dear friend instead. We first met 40+ years ago. At family gatherings we always seemed to pair off - perhaps out of self-defense. Our families got together often over the years to have fun and watch you and our daughter grow up.
Many of my fond memories of Tom are from fishing. We discovered our mutual passion for fishing, especially at the coast, early on. Thinking back, I figure we averaged 8-10 days fishing a year for forty years. Some of these trips were with family while many were just the two of us.
Tom was a man of few words. Why use a sentence when a word would do; why use a word when a gesture would work fine. We would drive for hours saying little. Tom would say 'gas' and we would stop to fill up, stretch and resume the trip without additional conversation. Over the years we developed our own form of communication for fishing. We would split up on the pier trying different things at different places. We would watch each other. If no bites, Tom would shake his head. If biting, he would point his finger. If he caught a large fish and needed help, he would show his excitement by nodding his head. This sounds silly but we filled up many a cooler full of fish.
Today's world seems to be trying to redefine friendship by the number/frequency of tweets and the sharing of important pictures such as going to the grocery store. Our friendship was the old-fashioned kind based on feelings which required little communication or action - it just was real.
Your dad was a good person in a great many ways. He left behind the three of you along with four wonderful grandchildren to carry on. I will miss him.
Take care,
(uncle) Bill Woods
