Derald Arley Delameter, aged 88, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at his home south of Princeton. Derald was born on June 12, 1935, in Mercer County, MO, the seventh of 11 children to Charles A. and Opal (Kelly) Delameter. Derald attended the one-room Pine School and later graduated from East High Point School with an 8th-grade education.
On August 25, 1956, Derald married Betty Jo Ballew and spent the next 67 years with the love of his life. Shortly after their wedding, he was drafted into the US Army and served for two years as an Engineer. While he was in the Army, the newlyweds lived in Texas and Colorado. While stationed in Colorado, they welcomed their first child, Olin Derald. When his military service ended, the family returned home to Princeton, and three years later, welcomed their second child, Peggy Flo.
Back home in Princeton, Derald worked as a mechanic at the Ford Garage until he was hired by the City of Princeton, a job he retired from 30 years later. With a tireless work ethic, Derald held various additional jobs over the years, including running a hay crew, starting a mobile tire repair business, operating a dump truck, and driving a school bus on both a regular route as well as the Vo-Tech Route.
In 1970, he and Betty inherited 80 acres of the original family farm south of Princeton. Before building a house, he built a barn for hay and miles of fence. His farm started with 10 head of heifers, each one with her own unique name. He had a strong love for animals of any kind and took amazing care of his cattle. His farm eventually expanded to include row crops, hay, and livestock. He retired from farming in 2021 when he sold his cattle to his great-nephew.
Derald also spent countless hours in service to his community. Dedicating 50 years (32 as Fire Chief), he served on the Volunteer Fire Department, where he was instrumental in creating the Mercer County Fire Protection District. He served as an assistant Boy Scout Leader and an honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and on the Coon Cemetery Board.
His hobbies included collecting, refurbishing, and discussing antique Farmall tractors, participating in the Mercer County Tractor Cruise, attending Old Threshers Reunions, reading, and spending as much time with his family as possible, especially his grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved talking with people wherever he went, and his good-natured sense of humor ensured he never met a stranger.
Derald was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law Winton Ballew, mother-in-law Vesta Ballew; brothers HA, George (Dorothy), Clay (Louise), Foster (Audrey), Jerrie; sister Lillian (Ewalt) Hageman; and grandson Nathan Derald. He is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; son Olin (Linda), daughter Peggy Constable; grandchildren Melinda Jones (Lee) of Macon, MO; Taylor Constable-Tanner (Shaun) of Kansas City, MO. Great-grandchildren Grant, Stan, and Luke Jones, all of Macon, MO; Ava and Elliott Tanner of Kansas City, MO. Derald is also survived by one brother, John of Kansas City, KS, sisters Lea Hickman (Loren), Twylia Hicks, and Jo Delameter, all of Princeton, one sister-in-law Connie Carver of Holts Summit, MO, as well as several nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, at the First Baptist Church, Princeton, MO, under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Princeton, MO. Burial with military rites will follow in Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Roberson Funeral Home, Princeton, MO.
