Delbert Ray Fluty, age 90, passed away on August 19, 2023, following a short hospital stay. Delbert was born to Marshall (Ray) and Edith Fluty on December 8th, 1932, in Butler, MO. Delbert spent his younger years in Fort Scott, KS, where he played football in high school and Junior College, met the love of his life, and was inducted into the United States Army, during the Korean Conflict. Delbert was a very proud and patriotic veteran of the Army’s Tenth Mountain Division. When thanked for his military service, he would always respond with, “It was an honor and a privilege.”
While fulfilling his Army responsibilities, Delbert married Marilyn Darlene Jones on October 27th, 1953. The love they shared during their nearly seventy years of marriage was held in awe by so many who knew them. They were truly living examples of the vows they promised to honor. Following marriage, Delbert attended Pittsburg State University, where he completed his undergraduate and Masters degrees in Automotive Technology. Delbert taught in El Dorado, KS, for four years. In 1962, his young family moved to Overland Park, KS, to open the new Shawnee Mission West High School. There he taught Automotive Technology and Small Engine Repair until his retirement in 1995.
Delbert accepted Jesus Christ into his heart on Easter Sunday, 1962, following services at Fort Scott’s Grace Baptist Tabernacle. His life was forever changed. Soon after, he and his family began attending Overland Park Baptist. There he spent countless nights and weekends helping to build the church from its first groundbreaking. Delbert also humbly served as a deacon for many terms, as the Missions treasurer for fifty years, and he assisted his wife in her fifty years of teaching the ages Four and Five Sunday School Class.
Delbert was devoted to his family, and a sterling example to his sons, Steven and Phillip. Delbert never told his sons how to be good and honorable men. Instead, he showed them how a good and honorable man lives his life. Delbert is survived by his wife, Marilyn, his sons, Steven and Phillip, his brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Leah Jones, and his nephew, Matt Jones.
Delbert was preceded in death by his father, Ray Fluty, his mother, Edith Fluty, his sister Eilene Fluty, and a very large contingent of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Larry Jones and Pastor Tracy Roby will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 29th, at the Overland Park Baptist Church, 11648 Antioch Road, Overland Park, KS. The family will receive friends from10:00 AM until service time at the church. Burial will follow at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 30th, at the U. S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott, KS. Memorials are suggested to the Overland Park Baptist Missions Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
