David Adams Dellinger

David was born on November 21, 1928, in Gaston County, NC to the late David C. Dellinger and the late Anna Pearl Finger. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Fowler Dellinger; son, David T. Dellinger (Ted); brothers, Clyde “Soke” Dellinger and his wife, Eloise, Robert Blair Dellinger and his wife, Frankie, Marion John Dellinger and his wife, Anne; sisters, Louise Dellinger Peeler and her husband, JC Peeler; sisters-in-laws, Betty Fowler Black and Patricia Fowlers Wells.

“My grandmother knew the perfect name for my dad- his initials were “D.A.D.”- the best dad I could have ever wanted. I never doubted the love that he had for me. Always sweet, kind, caring with a gentle smile. Growing up I knew this, but sometimes he would come home from work and take his belt off and I knew then mama had called him at work about me not listening and I was about to get my butt whopped. He taught me well and I always loved him and was daddy’s girl. He kidded around with mama, Ted, and I all the time. Ted and I were Dallas Cowboy fans and Dad was the Redskins. We had a fun time when they played each other. We were all yelling! And by the way, my daddy’s nickname was cowboy. He used to walk a cow down the road as a young boy and that’s how he started getting called cowboy. We gave him hell through the years, but he always grinned and would give a smart remark back to us! Then, there was the basketball games. He was a die-hard Duke fan and Ted and I the Carolina Tarheels!! It’s a funny thing that dad always wore a Carolina cap with a large fishing hook on it. He said he didn’t want to mess his Duke caps up… Whatever!!! He loved fishing and always was the master angler he thought, but just ask his fishing buddies David Purkey, Leonard Morgan and Cecil Garrett- they will tell you other stories!

I will always miss my mom and dad, but I will always remember the love that I was given from both. I had the best parents ever!! And they are together again. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for caring for my dad and family.”

Love, Kim.

David is survived by his daughter, Kim Christopher (Michael Meek); granddaughters, Lyndsi Christopher and Kelli Myers; great grandchildren, Ethan Myers, Karter Myers, Lane Norton, Rylie Norton, Hadlei Dixon; he is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as loving friends.

A visitation for David will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm at Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park at 2205 Williamsburg Dr., Gastonia, NC 28054. The funeral service will follow in the Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM. The committal service will immediately follow at services at Gaston Memorial Park at 1200 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC 28054.