Dean Oliver DeLamar

Congratulations to the 2024 USNA Football team! My father has either listened to, watched on tv or in person EVERY. SINGLE. GAME. since 1946.

Born in Macon, Ga., on March 14, 1930, the son of Wyatt Frank DeLamar and Louise Stephans DeLamar he knew at an early age that his passion was for flying. He applied to The Naval Academy as well as West Point to increase his odds and being accepted by both he made the right decision. He graduated with an EE and married my mother JoAnne Holloway DeLamar on June 5, 1953, in the chapel at the academy.

He attended flight school in Pensacola and had their first child (me - Deanne). On to Jacksonville where he had a second child (Perry) named after his roommate Perry Oliver. He served in the Pacific aboard the USS Bennington in fighter Squadron 174, flying the F9. After the twins were born (Martha and J Holly) in Atlanta there was a little pressure to consider getting a real job because “flying isn’t work”. This was partially attributed to his plane flaming out over Stone Mountain. He simply coasted to Peachtree Dekalb airport. NBD. The Navy told the airport that they wouldn’t need the plane back, so it sat at the entrance of the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant for many years. We lived less than 10 miles from there, so Dad called home for us to come pick him up. He went to work at The Georgia Power Company where he was given the job of Safety Manager. The irony was not lost here. Still in the Reserves, he came home to another expected bundle of joy, (Jeanne) and said adios to the Reserves.

Various successful jobs led him to an early retirement. With a suggestion from his golf partner who worked for 3M, he opened a medical grade tape cutting company “Marble Medical” and retired even better.

Since I’m sharing all of his secrets, raise your hand if you have flown UNDERNEATH the Tampa Bay Bridge. Beat that Blue Angels.

His nickname was Scooby, and he loved Varsity hotdogs and my mother. His goal in life was to live one day longer than Jimmy Carter.

Survivors include Deanne (Jim) Beesley, Martha Emily DeLamar (and her pup Buddy), Joanne Holloway (J Holly) Chipman (and her pup Sam) and Jeanne (Patrick) Cumby. He was predeceased by my brother Perry Wyatt DeLamar and our mother JoAnne DeLamar. Grandchildren: Jeffrey (Rachel) DeLamar, Jonathon (Jennifer) DeLamar and David DeLamar. Judy (Jacob) Mendelson, Joey (Kerry-Lee) Audie, Tony (Nicole) Audie and Michael Audie (and his pup Roy) Joey (Christine) Chipman and Emily (Nick) Byrne. Thomas Cumby and Maggie (Sergei) Kornaev.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the United States Naval Academy Foundation, P.O. Box 79169, Baltimore, MD 21279, https://www.usna.com/waystogive

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.