Frank Clement Delgado

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Frank Clement Delgado, courageously faced the departure from his earthly body to join our Lord in eternal rest. Daily, over the past few months, with his family by his side and his outer self wasting away he realized his inner self being renewed, fully committing to be with the Lord on May 6, 2025. Frank was born on November 23, 1946, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Frank and Carmen Delgado. His family farmed in the Scottsbluff and Gering area of Nebraska but realized their dream of owning their own farm when in 1963 they acquired land as part of the Columbian Basin Federal Reclamation project in Royal City, Washington. Along with his parents and numerous siblings, they cleared the land of its native sagebrush to raise sugar beets and later alfalfa proving dreams can be reality through hard work and dedication. Frank graduated from Othello High School in 1964. Encouraged by his older brother, Pete and Pete’s wife, Linda, he moved in with their family and attended college nearby in York, Nebraska, where he met his future wife, Sherry. They married on October 18, 1969, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in York, Nebraska and settled in the Columbia Basin. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Sherry, of 55 years and their children. He is survived by his son Frank D. Delgado and his children Brandon (Molly) parents to great-grandchildren, Callie and Flynn; Noah (Meghan), Ethan, and Addyson; daughter Kyla Delgado (Clayton Powell) and their children Cameron (Maria) Powell parents to great grandchildren Claysen and Casey, Caden (Deja Hankins), and Caleb; daughter Carmen Delgado; son Anthony Delgado and his daughter Taylyn; daughter Jessica (Dustin) Gerber and their children Maxwell and Tyler. In addition, he is survived by three sisters, Mary (Bob) Hesting, Lola (Richard) Monroe and Lydia Mullineaux. He will be remembered by sister-in -laws Kathy, Selma and Linda Delgado, Vicky Nienhueser and Jeanette Wittgren. Brother-in-laws Jack Petree and Terry Wittgren and his numerous nieces and nephews, a special friend of the family, Tom Shimura, and his adopted grandchildren Julio, Julie and Brandon, Eddie, and Jaqi. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Carmen Delgado, his brothers; Joe, Leonard, Pete and Simon Delgado and sisters Nellie (Sister Francesca) Delgado, Francis Shipe and Sally Petree. Sister-in-law Elvita Delgado and brothers-in-laws Gary Nienhueser, Michael Shipe, and Rodney Mullineaux. Frank spent 30 years with the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). During his tenure with DSHS, he was twice honored to receive the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for his quick actions to save the lives of others or bravery in an emergency. After retiring from DSHS in 2002 he was not content being an idle man and decided to spend the next five years as a para-educator at Moses Lake High School (MLHS) assisting in the ESL program. Many of his students whom he greatly influenced have kept in contact with him for his commitment to aid them in learning the English language and transitioning to a new culture in America. After his time at MLHS Frank tried to retire a second time and failed when he was called upon by the state of Washington to assist at the WorkSource office in Moses Lake. When the office closed during the COVID-19 pandemic he was forced to retire and kept himself busy with his church community. Frank was a devout Catholic and dedicated himself to serving the parish community at Our Lady of Fatima. He taught CCD classes and volunteered many hours grooming and trimming the parish grounds or planting flowers to beautify the landscape. He also served as a lector, eucharistic minister, a member of the Hope and Remembrance Committee, and occasionally volunteering in the church office. Frank’s habit was to pray daily, both in the morning and evening, and often would add on a Rosary or Mass for good measure. Following the advice of St. Padre Pio, he enjoyed spiritual reading and found a habit that had the power to direct a change of course and enter into the way of perfection. Frank took his faith seriously but not without a sense of humor as was evident by his feigned irritation that the Pope beat him to Heaven. While Frank was admired and respected for his work ethic professionally and service to the parish community he will be remembered for his friendly and welcoming demeanor. Friends and acquaintances were many and he always greeted others with a smile and a hug and if you were lucky enough a jar of salsa. However, it was his family that took priority. Family dinners were a weekly occurrence at the Delgado household with all the kids, grandkids, great grandkids and family friends. Special holidays such as Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s and Father’s Day, 4th of July, and birthdays were a requirement. Not wanting to miss his final Easter egg hunt he rallied everyone to rearrange the furniture and move his hospital bed front and center of the windows. He did not want to miss seeing the kids while enjoying one last view of his lawn and the Saddle Mountains, which he loved. His final wishes were few. To hear his Harley one more time; thank you Uncle Terry for riding it out of the garage and to his window. To see his Mustang leave the garage. Somehow, together we got the seats back in it, the engine started, and you to the driveway so we could reminisce as it idled nearby. However, his greatest wish was to remain at home, and he remarked more than once how grateful he was to have all his children home and caring for him. It was remarkable how we became a household of seven again as we were all together over the last few months of your life. It has been an honor to love and serve you Dad during our final journey as a family. Your death a lesson in the joy found through service to others and the power of faith. You will be greatly missed but your legacy of love and family will live on. Our belief that we will be together again with you and our loving God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and all the angels and saints lessen the loss we feel at your passing. On Monday, May 12, 2025 a Rosary will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 200 N. Dale Rd., Moses Lake, Washington. Please join the family for a luncheon immediately following Mass in the Fatima Center. The burial will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Royal Memorial Garden in Royal City, Washington. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories, Moses Lake, Washington. Memorials may be made in Frank’s name and memory to Our Lady of Fatima Building Fund.

Frank Clement Delgado

November 23, 1946 - May 6, 2025