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Delaney Leon Crain, 89, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023, at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. He was born in Roan Mountain to the late William Arthur Crain and Ethel Marie Barnett Crain.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Jean Roark Crain; three brothers, Vernon Crain, Bill Crain and Bob Crain; and one sister, Ruth Crain Franklin.
Delaney was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in the Korean War. He worked at Sperry Univac and later retired from Sossner Steel Stamps in Elizabethton. Delaney was instrumental in designing the piece that made the Red Stone Missile launch. He was also a member of the Cold War Patriots.
He was of the Freewill Baptist faith and attended New Hope Freewill Baptist Church. He served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher for many years.
Delaney was a wonderful man, loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved his family and enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and spending time in Roan Mountain at the cabin. He was an avid NASCAR, UT Sports, and Titans Football fan.
Those left to cherish his memory are his three children, Kelly Crain (Teresa), Connie Bowery (Tony) and Caren Hill (Grady), all of Elizabethton; three grandchildren, Whitney James (Rev. Ben James), Dylan Hill (Emily), all of Elizabethton, and Cameron Crain (Morgan) of Jonesborough; three great-grandchildren, Marlee Faith James, Gracie-Jean James and Noah Ray Hill, of Elizabethton; one sister, Charlotte Hunt (Charles) of Morganton, N.C.; nephew, Terry Crain (Martha) of Elizabethton; and several other nieces and nephews.
A graveside service and interment for Delaney will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 21, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Rev. Charlie Trivette and Rev. Ben James officiating. Music will be under the direction of Joel Street and Doug Blevins. Military Honors will be accorded by VFW Boone Dam. Active pallbearers are Cameron Crain, Dylan Hill, Grady Hill, Rev. Ben James, Tony Bowery, Terry Crain, Kenny Johnson and Teddy Walsh. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Shoun, Garry Hopson, Jim Boone, former friends of Sperry and Sossner, Larry Miller and Glenn Nave. Those who wish to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at 12:15 p.m. Thursday at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, to go in procession to the cemetery. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to New Hope Freewill Baptist Church, 1220 Marbleton Road, Unicoi, TN 37692. Words of comfort can be shared with the family by visiting our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the family of Delaney Leon Crain. Office Phone (423) 542-2232; Obituary Line (423) 543-4917.