Delbert Lynn Hayden

Born to Samuel and Virginia Hayden on February 16, 1948 in Pueblo, CO. He graduated from Campion Academy High School in Loveland, CO in May of 1966. He served two tours in Vietnam from 1967–1970 in the 101st and 118th Airborne, achieving the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge. He worked in drywall and construction for many years later transitioning to a guard for the Department of Corrections in Fremont County. He then moved on to work at Olney Springs Correctional Facility. He retired early from the Pueblo Chemical Depot as a result of his cancer diagnosis. After recovering from treatments Del worked part time for Golden Gate Transportation and volunteered at SRDA. For many years Delbert led a prison ministry in the Olney Springs prison facility. He felt blessed by this ministry and regretted having to retire from this mission because of his disability.

Delbert loved and feared God and served the Seventh Day Adventist Church as a Sabbath School teacher, an Elder and a Deacon. He served as the President of Hope Radio, director of Adventist Community Services – Disaster Response. He also volunteered for the American Red Cross, the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, and the Pueblo Rescue Mission. Delbert was a licensed Ham Radio operator. He loved his church family and missed them when he was no longer able to attend services. Thank you to everyone who visited, called and sent cards.

Delbert cherished his daughters Christine and Michelle. He enjoyed the time he was able to spend with his many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed camping and fishing with his family as well as watching college sports, often discussing them with his older sister, Carla. Delbert never met a stranger and impacted so many lives throughout his own life.

Delbert was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Virginia Hayden; his daughter Michelle Poole, sister-in-law Connie Weigel, sister-in-law Judy Smart and brother-in-law Louie Garcia.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Hayden; daughter, Christine (Kevin) Kraus; son-in-law Mitchell Poole; grandson, Christian Poole; sisters, Carla (Richard) Stoffle, Dayna (Joe) Ross, Karin (Dale) Oldham, in-laws; Petra (George) Finkbeiner, Allan Ingram, Matthew Weigel, Steve (Julie) Ingram, Sandy Garcia, Don (Eneas) Smart, nieces and nephews; Brent (Kristie) Stoffle, Kami Merrifield, Aamon Ross, Rimini (Travis) Hickey, Ian Ross, Kailee Hayden, Lori (George) Noel, Jenny Rose, David (Gina) Weigel, Samantha Jones, Ethan (Haley) Ingram, Vicki Ingram, Nathan (Kyla) Garcia, Jessica Smart, Melissa (Robert) Killis, and Taylor Ingram.

A special thank you to Linda Jackson and the staff at Heritage Internal Medicine as well as Dr. Mosely, Dr. Sicher, the Veterans' Administration, and all medical staff who took such good care of him.

Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 3:00pm at the Pueblo First Seventh Day Adventist Church in Pueblo, CO. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall at the church.