Mr. Delbert Edward Dequine (Del) was born in San Francisco, CA. From there his family moved to Marysville, CA where he lived until the age of six. His family relocated once again and finally settled in Concord, CA where he grew up through the challenging times of the great depression, graduating from Concord High School, and excelling in variety of sports including track and field, swimming and diving, and football. Del continued to follow his love of athletics at College of the Pacific in Stockton CA, where he enrolled in college and played football for the famous coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg, and set the school track and field record in the 220 yard low hurdles.
But his country needed him elsewhere, so Del enlisted in the Army and served his country for 3 years during WWII, primarily as a Surgical Technician in the Army Medical Corps while stationed in England. His commanding officer wanted him to attend medical school and become a doctor, but Del wanted to follow his passion for athletics and eventually become a coach. After the war, he followed his dream and re-enrolled at College of the Pacific where he graduated with a BA in Physical Education. More importantly, he met the love of his life, Margaret Grimshaw Dequine (Marge) and they married in June 1948.
Del began his teaching career in Lynwood, CA where he pursued his passion and love of coaching. Del would later earn a Masters Degree in Education from University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, CA. In 1966, Del and Marge moved their young family to Los Altos, CA and Del continued his career at Los Altos High School. He retired in 1979 after 30 rewarding years of teaching and coaching, ever passionate about helping his students, athletes and fellow coaches. Del together with Marge and her brother Chuck Grimshaw continued to work in the family “choose and cut” Christmas tree business, located in Sunol CA, and delighted bay area Christmas tree shoppers for over 20 years. Marge and Del moved to Oakdale, CA in 1998, where he was a member of the Oakdale Golf and Country Club and served as Captain of the Senior Men’s Golf Group. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, woodworking, playing cards and he never passed up the opportunity to be the “coach”.
Del was preceded in death by his wife Marge in July 2006, and is survived by his son and daughter in-law– John and Nhan Dequine of Oakdale, CA, daughter and son in-law Debbie and John Mager of Sonora, CA, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Dad, we’ll miss you but take comfort knowing that you are with Mom again, together forever.
The family would like to thank Brenda Marmon Home Care of Oakdale and AseraCare Hospice of Stockton. These amazing caregivers gave their love and commitment to keep our wonderful Dad/Papa/Super-Papa comfortable and help him get through a difficult time, with pride and dignity.
Memorial contributions may be sent in the name of Delbert Edward Dequine to the USO.
A memorial service with military honors will be held at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery on Mon. Oct. 24, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
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www.AllenMortuary.com