Delbert Del E Linn

Delbert Earl Linn went to be with the Lord on March 4, 2014. At 91 years old, he had lived a long life, filled with many struggles and triumphs. He began this journey on August 23, 1922 in Tribune, Kansas. Born to that old generation who were teachers, farmers and preachers, he was an only child. Around the age of 10, his parents, Charles Linn and Ethelwynne (Hoopes) Linn, moved to Pueblo, Colorado to begin a new life. His was a simple education. He often spoke of his schooling at Thatcher elementary and was proud to be a Centennial High School Bulldog. Shortly after graduation from high school, he went to work at the CFI steel mill. At that time, he met and married Ada Mae Williams. In October of 1942, he and his wife answered the call to join the World War II effort. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and she joined the Women’s Army Corp. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, on the islands of Funafuti, suffering major injuries during a bombing raid. These injuries, coupled with the death of his first-born daughter, Adeline Rae Linn, caused him to return to the United States. He was honorably discharged from the USMC on November 23, 1945 as a Corporal. He resumed life in Pueblo with his wife, a nurse in the WAC and on November 16, 1946, they were blessed with a son, Harold George Earl Linn. He reenlisted with the United States Air Force, serving in Washington State, Wyoming and at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. He was always proud to state he worked as a mechanic on the Wildcat planes. He was discharged from the Air Force as a Sergeant in July 1949, to resume civilian life and care for his wife, who had a service connected disability that caused her to be unable to care for her child. During their travels across the country, they eventually came to Tucson, Arizona, where in 1952, they received a daughter into their home, Susan Ann Linn. It was at this time that Delbert was ordained as a minister with St. John’s Methodist Church, Tucson, Arizona. They then moved to Higley, Arizona where he began his preaching career. Shortly thereafter, he attended Grand Canyon College and was ordained in 1954 at South Phoenix Southern Baptist church as a licensed minister. In 1957, Mrs. Linn’s illness became worse and they returned to Pueblo, Colorado to have the support of family. Delbert worked at various jobs, often having difficulty keeping work. They moved to the Linn family farm on Overton Road in September of 1959. In December of 1959, Mrs. Linn passed away, leaving Mr. Linn to care for two small children. He met and married Ruth (Bombeno) Holliman, who had two children, Cathryn and John Joseph. He adopted these children in 1960. In 1961, the couple was blessed with a son, Charles Edgar Linn II. In 1969, he moved to Arizona again, and in 1970 his wife, son (Charles) and daughter (Cathryn) moved with him. He went to work at Magma Copper Company, in San Manuel, Arizona and remained there until 1977 when he retired. He continued to work various jobs and worked on his land out west of Oracle Arizona. In May of 1985, Ruth Linn passed away unexpectedly. He was left bereft of children and wife, and at that time made a decision to return to the work of the Lord at Oracle Baptist Church. This decision eventually led him to New Testament Baptist Church, where he enjoyed the service of teaching Sunday school, working in AWANA and Visitation. In 2000, Mr. Linn lost his vision; however, he did not let this deter him from his service to the Lord. He continued to work with the Sunday school at New Testament Baptist until 2009 when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He then went to reside at Devon Gables Nursing home in Tucson. In spite of his grave condition, he continued as best he could to attend church on Sundays. With the help of the Lord, his family, faithful friends, and the dedicated staff at Devon Gables, his last days were comfortable. During this time, he often expressed that he could not figure out what work the Lord still had for him to do, and was often disturbed that he could not get out and “get busy for the Lord”. It was during these last days, that he learned that this time was set aside for him to work on his own relationship with the Lord and his own relationship with the Lord. He found that quiet and silent reflection in those last days, and passed peacefully. He is now with all those who preceded him, and at the feet of His one true love, Jesus Christ.

He leaves surviving children, Harold Linn (Carmen) of Dalton, GA, Cathryn Cameron and Susan Gomez of Tucson, AZ, and Charles Linn II of Mesa, AZ. He also leaves five grandchildren, Patrick Linn (Jackie), Jason Gomez (Amanda), Nathan Gomez (Judith), Aasia Revels and Misha Linn. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Autumn and Crystal Linn, Nathan Jr., Noah, Josiah, Hannah and Elijah Gomez, and so many loving friends he counted as sons and daughters.

In Lieu of flowers, send donations to New Testament Baptist church, 2855 N. Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ. 85712.