Delbert Lee “Del” Hamm passed away peacefully October 29, 2015 with his son, Kyle and daughter Lee Ann by his side. Del was born July 15, 1931 in Stillwater Oklahoma to Berton Francis “Daddy Bert” Ham and Ethel May “Mommy Ethel” (Fitzpatrick) Ham. Del was a 2nd generation Oklahoma Native, the youngest of nine brothers and sisters, his mother and extended family, traveling by covered wagon, settled during the opening of the Oklahoma Territory as a young girl. His father settled in Stillwater and Marena area in 1889. Del grew up in Oklahoma City graduating from Putnam City HS in 1949 and then attending OCU in 1950 before attending Phillips University in Enid, graduating with Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. It was there he met the love of his life Dolores Ann Townsend from Coffeyville Kansas. Del and Dolores were married Nov. 28, 1953 in Coffeyville KS and began a lifetime together serving our Lord and Savior and fellow man. Del began ministry in the Christian Church in Putnam OK and was ordained in 1954 Putnam City Christian Church. He then entered the Seminary at Phillips University receiving a Bachelor of Divinity in 1957. After college Del served our country as Chaplain USN Pacific Fleet Stationed San Diego 1957-1958 LT JG then as Lt. in Destroyer Squadron Three 1958-1960, Long Beach CA. Deployed Hawaii, Japan, Formosa, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Midway. From 1960-1963 Del served as associate minister of Central Christian Church in Wichita, KS and as Senior Minister of Hillcrest Christian Church, Oklahoma City 1960-1993 earning a Doctorate in Ministry from Phillips University Seminary in 1968 and Doctorate in Theology in 1978. A Masonic Lodge member and great philanthropist, Del is remembered most by family, friends and the multitude of people whose lives he influenced as a man of selfless acts, high Integrity and confidentiality, but above all, his genuine sense of humor and compassion. Along the way Del was elected to the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education eventually serving as Board President. Del continued on to serve on the Board of Education for Metro Tech Vocational-Technical Centers in Oklahoma City before serving as associate minister of First Christian Church in Oklahoma City 1993-2002. In the days immediately following the Murrah Federal Building bombing in 1995, what was then the worst act of domestic terrorism in American history, First Christian Church and the building was transformed overnight into a command center for grieving families, journalists and rescue workers where Del, Dolores along with countless others drew on their strength of faith ministering to and counseling with the survivors, the families and friends of the victims. Del is preceded in death by his wife Dolores Ann (Townsend) Hamm, parents Bert and Ethel Ham, brothers Herbert John Hamm, Huel Irvin Hamm, and Carl Berton Hamm, Sisters Amy Delilah Hamm, Evelyn Mary (Davis) Hamm, Lottie Eylene Hamm, Lila Fern (Rains) Hamm, and Nona Virginia (Faulk) Hamm. Survived by his sons Kyle Kevin Hamm and wife Brenda, of Oklahoma City and Terry Lee Hamm of Grand Junction, Colorado, daughter Lee Ann (Townsend) Hamm and husband Brad of Oklahoma City. Grandchildren, Ryan Hamm, Taylor Campbell, Trey Dixon, Alan Walker, Wyatt Townsend and Blair McCully. Great Grandchildren, Kylee, Trinity, Carter, Isla, Zach, Luke and Ethan. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to, Tracy, from Care Team, for providing great care to Delbert during his illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to, Phillips University Alumni, P.O. Box 331, Enid, OK 73702. Viewing will be Tuesday from 4-8 PM at Vondel Smith Mortuary. Services to celebrate Delbert’s life will be 10AM Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at Hillcrest Christian Church, 1501 SW 59th Street, OKC. Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Tuesday, November 3, 2015, Page 8A.