William Calvin Dellinger

William Calvin Dellinger was born October 25, 1956 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the second child/son of Southern Baptist Preacher Bruce Dellinger and Southern Belle/organist Melna Dellinger. Calvin lamented his role of middle child. Then, at age 13, a second sister was born and he was forced to share the title of middle child! But he learned that silliness could bring him the attention a middle child whose family travels around the country starting churches sometimes craves. That silliness would continue through the rest of his life and will now live on through his surviving children and the stories so many tell about him.

Cal put himself through college at CMSU (now known as UCM) by working at Standard Station, then Arby's. After college, he worked at Economics Laboratory until he bought his first computer. He fell in love with computers right then and there, decided that was what he wanted to do with his life, and went to computer school.

His first computer job was at Marley Pump Company. It was there he would meet the future mother of his children, Denise Ptomey. They started as friends in a work friend group, but that friendship grew into more. Shortly after beginning their romantic relationship, Cal left Marley Pump Co for a job at BHA as the couple was told dating a co-worker was "unacceptable."

Cal married Denise, the woman he described as way too good for him, on May 30, 1987. They had three wonderful, funny, and really, really, ridiculously good-looking children.

Working at DSI was the part of his career Cal was most proud of. He worked hard, putting in long hours and traveling a lot while Denise became a stay at home mom. Cal just called her "Domestic Goddess."

For his part, Cal took special care to teach their three children important life skills such as shootin' pool and dancing like everyone was watching and needed a good laugh. He introduced them to the finest culture with films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Young Frankenstein, The Jerk, and Stripes.

Cal Dellinger was a man of many hobbies. He loved camping, cooking, home brew and barbecue. Motorcycles, bicycles, RC cars, and model trains. Float trips with friends, music, his guitar, and merriment under the stars. Scouting, skiing, and scuba diving. He played football, raqcuet ball, golf, ping pong, billiards, really anything with a ball. Oh, and he loved comedy and...ACTING!

Cal's love of camping, fishing, boating, shooting, and general outdoorsiness led his family to Sidney, Nebraska, where he worked at Cabela's for 12 years. He bowled, golfed, and did trap shooting in leagues, went on hunting and fishing trips with friends, played Santa at the local Cabela's store, and became a Hammie award winning actor in the Way Out West Community Theatre.

After those 12 years, he could no longer resist the call to return home to Kansas City. He finished his career at SAIC where he worked on several government contracts. His favorite was when he got to work at NASA for a short while.

Cal Dellinger retired in 2023. However, he was pulled out of retirement for his most rewarding position: PawPaPaw. He became not only a grandfather, but a babysitter, a caretaker. Best of all, he became a personal Santa to that very lucky little girl for three Christmases.

Cal Dellinger is preceded in death by both his parents, Bruce and Melna Dellinger and his youngest son, Weston Dellinger. These losses were deeply felt until his own death, especially that of his child.

He is survived by his wife Denise Dellinger, his daughter Lindsay Deeds, his son Wil Dellinger (Ryley), and his granddaughter Lydia Deeds. He is also survived by his older brother John Dellinger, his middle-child-title-snatching sibling Kay Dolenz (also John), and baby sister Kim Benson (Scott). He will also be missed by many people that called him friend, Uncle Cal, Carl, in-law, or outlaw.

Visitation will be held 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Friday, September 18 at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119. A Memorial Service will follow at 12 p.m. As Cal was a HUGE Chiefs fan and it's Red Friday, the family requests that those who wish to wear Red or Chiefs gear to the service feel welcome. Out of respect for the deceased, please avoid Broncos or Raiders gear.