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Cemetery Location Map to Gravesite |
Birth Date: 9/21/1928
Death Date: 5/4/2004
Memorial Park Cemetery
Section 5, Lot 9, Grave 4
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| Richard 'Dick' DeLap was born at Coleman Hospital on September 21, 1928. His mother was Marguerite A. DeLap (Peters), his father Robert S. DeLap. He had three brothers, Ronald, Gaylord and Harry and one sister Connie.Richard graduated in 1948 from Shortridge High School, where he played varsity basketball. The love of basketball stayed with him through out his life. He lived for basketball season.He always had a dream of owning his own business. After high school he purchased a grocery store and ran that for a few years.He married Patricia Ann (Harrison) and had two daughters Kathleen and Jeannine. But after several years they divorced but always kept in touch. Richard never remarried.He worked for Borden's Ice Cream Co. for 35 years until the plant closed down. Then he worked 10 years for Banquet Ice Cream and then retired.Richard loved retirement. Those were his happiest days. He had worked so hard his whole life, which he loved being able to get up when he wanted to and take naps anytime of the day when he wanted.He would get up early and take his coffee and sit on his back porch in his chair, and wave at all his neighbors as they were leaving for work. He would sit for hours and watch squirrels, rabbits and dogs play. He had such a huge heart. He always made time for his neighbors. Either by giving them a helping hand with a job they needed done or giving advice. Then at the end of the day he was always there to wave at his neighbors when they returned home from work. Some would stop to talk and they would talk sports or war or whatever was going on that particular day.To his neighbors he was known as the 'neighborhood watchman'. Richard lived in the same house for 48 years at East 75th Street in Indianapolis. He loved the simple life. Nothing fancy, he was very thrifty. He didn't like to spend money unnecessary. If it's not broke why fix it.The only time that he did something for himself was when he purchased a riding lawnmower. He loved the outdoors. He loved working in his yard and mowing the grass.Richard was always uplift to people. He had a wonderful sense of humor, always happy and funny.He could whistle for hours. He would go around singing this song all the time by Tennessee Ernie Ford. It was called, 'Some people say a man is made out of mud. He was just a very happy man. He was a good friend, a wonderful father, and a loving grandfather to his four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was a wall of strength to the people who knew him.He is a man who is very much loved and very much missed. |
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Dad with his two brothers, Ronald and Gaylord.
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Dad with Ronald, Gaylord and Connie, August 1938.
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Dad at sixteen.
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Dad's graduation picture from Shortridge High School, 1948.
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Dad working in his yard at his home on Schofield Street.
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Dad with his daughters Jean and Kathy at Christmas 1966.
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Dad with his daughter Jean on her Wedding Day, January 1972.
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Four Generations. Dad, daughter Kathy, granddaughter Lisa and great grandson Ryan.
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Dad with brothers, Harry, Gaylord, Ronald and sister Connie.
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