Jack Delany

Jack Wittstock DeLany, age 95 years and 5 months, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, December 3, 2016.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 6-8pm, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St. Graveside services with military honors will be at 11am Friday at MO State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville.

Jack was born the 5th child of Charles V. DeLany & Belva U. DeLany on July 5, 1921 in Pine Lawn, St. Louis County, Missouri. He attended school in Cuba, Missouri & Pleasant Hill, Illinois graduating from high school in 1938. Prior to his junior year of school, Jack joined the Civilian Conservation Corp during the Great Depression and worked in Malta, Montana helping build roads and bridges. Soon after graduation, Jack met his future wife, Delphine Casillas, at the church they attended in East St. Louis, IL. They were married on July 14, 1940. To this union, four children were born, Jack Val, Sharon Ruth, Betty Ellen, & Michael Alan.

Jack answered the call of his country during World War II joining the U.S. Army Air Corp being commissioned as a 1st lieutenant and B-25 bomber training pilot. Upon his discharge in 1946, he applied for and was accepted at the University of Missouri for the newly opened School of Veterinary Medicine. He graduated in that college's 3rd graduating class of 1952 and was proud to call MU his alma mater.

After initially starting his career in large animal practice, Jack accepted employment with the U.S. Dept of Agriculture's meat inspection division and eventually moved into the Special Veterinary Services Division. As a officer in that division, Jack was assigned to a special U.S. led joint-venture program with several South American countries in developing an eradication process to protect beef and dairy cattle from succumbing to certain fly infestation diseases. He retired from the Dept of Agriculture in 1983.

Later in life, he married Phyllis Brandser on August 21, 1970 and they enjoyed many years together while residing in De Moines, IA, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, Douglas, AZ, Bella Vista, AR, Harrisonville, MO and finally Independence, MO.

Jack considered his devotion to church and his commitment to the Lord Jesus to be of great importance to him in his everyday life. He was an ordained elder and proudly attended the Living Hope Restoration Branch in Independence, MO. for many years.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill DeLany, Herndon DeLany, and Robert DeLany, sisters Ella Yelverton, Mary Dickens, and first wife Delphine.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis, sister Jane Chase, sons Jack V. DeLany of Memphis TN, Michael A. DeLany of Carrollton, MO, daughters Sharon R. DeLany of Memphis, TN, and Betty E. Randol of Independence, MO, grandchildren Jason DeLany, Lyonel DeLany Umholtz both of Memphis, TN, Brian DeLany, Jennifer DeLany, Michael Randol of Independence, MO, and Matthew Randol of Minneapolis, MN, four great-grandchildren, Charlie DeLany and Riley DeLany of Memphis TN, and MaKenna DeLany and Carlee DeLany of Blue Springs, MO.

Jack will be missed by his family, church family, and the many friends and acquaintances who he met over his 95+ years.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com.