It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Delbert (Del) Crew on April 12, 2023 at his home. Del was a hardworking and kind man, beloved by his family and friends.
Del was born on June 27th, 1934 in Live Oak, CA. His family moved to Vacaville when he was a young boy. He was a lifelong resident of Vacaville and graduated from Vacaville High School in 1952. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and was sent to Germany and then returned home to his wife where they lived and raised their family. He always offered support and guidance to his children as they navigated life’s challenges.
Del spent many years drilling water wells for the community. Del was a dedicated father and loved spending time with his two sons fishing, water skiing, and snow skiing. He was an animal lover and always had one or more pets with him. Del and Marty later settled in rural Dixon where they built a home and moved the drilling business to the property.
After his retirement Del remained active and productive, spending his days tending his orchard and garden and working on projects in his shop. One of his accomplishments was restoring a 1955 Oldsmobile to showroom quality that he used to race when he was young, winning many trophies. A photo of that car was chosen to be on the National Oldsmobile Poster. He had a remarkable talent for fixing anything and had an encyclopedic knowledge of how things worked. Del was always eager to share his skills and knowledge with his sons and others who needed his advice. While he was still working and for many years after he retired people who were planning to buy land in the country would call him and ask his advice on a certain piece of property and since he remembered every well he had drilled he was able to tell them how deep the other wells in the area were and how much water they may expect.
Del was a man of integrity, hard work and kindness. He always put his best into everything he did. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was the center of his life.
He is survived by his loving wife Marlene (Marty) Crew for 66 years, sons Steven (Angela) and David (Eva) Crew, grandchildren Nicholas (Jessica) and Mikayla Crew, great –grandchildren Nicholas, Alena, Jameson, Kailyn and Wren. Del will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him and his kindness, work ethic, and generosity will never be forgotten.
A service for him will be at McCune Garden Chapel on Wednesday April 26th at 1:00 P.M. He will be laid to rest at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery with Military Honors.
